Top 11 Bad Habits of College Students

Many students have ample free time, often staying up late on Facebook, socializing, or hanging out with friends until the early hours of the morning. This leaves them spending the rest of the day sleeping in until 9 or 10 AM.

Students with afternoon classes might sleep until 10 or 11 AM, skipping breakfast and heading straight to class. Some even believe this saves time, but it's actually bad for the stomach.

Experts suggest that 8 hours of sleep is sufficient for optimal brain function and productivity. However, most students tend to sleep 10-15 hours a day, which has the opposite effect: it makes them more sluggish rather than refreshed.

Students who are working part-time or honing their skills are an exception. What's noteworthy is that many students in Vietnam waste a lot of idle time. Instead of reading, finding part-time jobs, exercising, joining social activities, or enjoying fresh air outdoors, they choose to stay in their rooms, sleeping away the day. Students with afternoon classes tend to wake up around 10 or 11 AM, while those with morning classes nap through the afternoon, only to wake up for dinner.

Most young people today prefer spending hours on Facebook, gaming, watching movies, doing makeup, or hanging out at cafes with friends, forgetting about the invaluable mental nourishment that books provide.

Nowadays, college students have little interest or habit of reading books. They find it less engaging than movies or Facebook, and too dry, which makes them lose interest. Many students only photocopy course outlines during exam time and rarely touch textbooks. This gradual neglect of reading is causing the loss of valuable knowledge and the fading of a cherished tradition of learning from books.

With the rapid development of information technology, a wide array of social media platforms has emerged to meet the growing needs of users: Facebook, Zalo, Instagram, Viber, Skype, and more. Among these, young people, especially college students with plenty of free time, have an overwhelming demand for social media usage.

Many students spend hours in front of their computers or phones scrolling through Facebook, Yahoo, and other platforms. The issue becomes serious when some feel restless or agitated if they can’t access social media. Some even stay up all night to be online and sleep during the day to catch up.

Spending excessive time in front of screens can lead to vision problems, such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. It can also seriously impact one's health and mental well-being, especially when exposed to harmful content online.

It is often said that Vietnamese people are generally reserved, rarely initiating conversations or engaging with strangers. This tendency to avoid social interactions is also seen among students. A lack of self-confidence prevents students from showcasing their creativity and often leads them to follow established paths, particularly in their studies. This behavior is worth criticizing.

For example, while professors are lecturing, students often engage in private conversations. When given the opportunity to participate in discussions or voice their opinions, many students remain silent. It's a common sight, especially among third- and fourth-year university students, who are still hesitant to speak in front of a crowd due to their lack of confidence and the habit of merely copying notes in class.

Many students, due to this lack of self-confidence, freeze when interacting with foreign tourists. They can barely manage to say a few words like introducing their name or giving directions. Despite years of learning foreign languages—3, 5, or even 7 years—their nervousness prevents them from speaking fluently. The reason? They’re simply too anxious!

Most college students stay up very late, but not all of them are studying. Instead, many are up chatting on Facebook or playing games. In reality, sleep is far more beneficial than any activity that keeps you from resting. It helps improve memory, boosts happiness, keeps you healthy, and prevents accidents caused by sleep deprivation.

Many students are used to having their parents take care of them, even bringing meals right to their mouths. However, once they reach university and are no longer under their parents' roof, their eating habits become erratic. At the beginning of the month, they enjoy fancy meals, but by the end of the month, they are eating instant noodles. Sometimes, random snacks like mixed rice paper or bubble tea, or even a drinking session with friends, replace an entire meal.

The habits you develop now, whether good or bad, can determine your future success. You won't be able to relive your youth, so remember to exercise regularly. Maintaining a fitness routine is never easy, and it's something that requires consistency over the years. You may be busy, but never neglect your health.

While a little bit of alcohol can uplift your spirits, we must remember that excessive drinking is the root cause of a life filled with hardship if you start to indulge in it regularly.

University life is not just about learning and acquiring knowledge in your chosen field; it's also a microcosm of society—an environment where you have the opportunity to meet and interact with many interesting people. Making friends and socializing will not only help you build meaningful connections but also enhance your communication skills, leading to a more positive and fulfilling life.

Young people in Vietnam have long been known for their tendency to stretch time in various aspects of life—whether it's study, work, or daily activities. This has become a common habit among several generations. In our country, this bad habit is not only found in government offices and workplaces but has even seeped into the student community.

Classes officially start at 7 AM, but students usually show up well past 7. It’s unclear who’s waiting for whom, but in some lecture halls, it's a reality that professors end up “waiting” for students—something that happens 99.9% of the time.

In today’s increasingly globalized world, learning a foreign language has become an essential tool, particularly English, for both daily life and work.

However, a portion of today’s youth is extremely reluctant to study foreign languages, citing reasons like difficulty, lack of necessity, or a shortage of time. In reality, students often have more free time than they realize. The result of this procrastination is that after graduation, many face difficulties finding jobs or even experience unemployment.

In addition to spending hours in front of a computer screen, lounging in bed, going to school, or hanging out at cafes, young people often find excuses to avoid exercising and staying healthy. This has become a widespread habit among today’s youth.

Believing that they are still young and healthy, many students overlook the importance of maintaining their physical well-being. However, they might regret this neglect when they grow older.