How to Help Students Overcome University Anxiety
In a world of constant change, increasing demands, and deep uncertainty, university anxiety has become a defining challenge for students globally.
While their friends seem to flood social media with exciting new experiences, many students wrestle with pressing questions:
- What do I really have to offer?
- Will I be successful?
- Will I ever make enough money?
The pressure to make life-altering decisions often feels relentless—ticking faster than their morning alarm. In both the UK and the US, over 30% of university students report clinical anxiety.
How Can Universities Support Students Facing Anxiety?
By embedding Learning Agility into the higher education curriculum. Period.
Learning Agility—the ability to rapidly acquire and apply new skills and knowledge—is the key to future-proofing individuals and organizations.
Now, imagine if instead of anxiety, students felt self-efficacy—a deep confidence in their ability to handle whatever the future brings. Imagine them learning flexibly, adapting quickly, and thriving no matter what comes their way. This is what Learning Agility can do.
How Can Universities Teach Learning Agility?
For nearly 30 years, organizational psychologists, scientists, and academics—including Dr. Warner Burke, Emeritus Professor at Columbia University—have studied Learning Agility. In the early 2010s, Dr. Burke foresaw that Learning Agility would become the most critical skill of the 21st century. He challenged researchers to identify what sets agile learners apart and how to measure this capability.
Their research revealed that Learning Agility consists of nine dimensions and 38 behaviors that, when practiced together, transform the way people learn.
The Burke Learning Agility Assessment: A Game-Changer for Universities
At Burke Assessments, we’ve developed a series of tools to help students develop Learning Agility, including a self-assessment and an AI-powered coach that provides a personalized action plan to enhance agility.
By integrating the Burke Learning Agility Assessment into their curriculum, universities can:
- Identify students’ strengths and areas for growth
- Personalize development plans tailored to individual needs
- Equip graduates with the adaptability needed for leadership roles
Ultimately, Learning Agility will empower students with the confidence and skills to navigate an unpredictable future. It will revolutionize not just how they learn—but how they live.
Want to know more about Learning Agility in higher education? Get in touch with us.