The Academic Void: The Final Frontier

What Even Is The Academic Void?

Students face many challenges in college that can cause anxiety and fear; one of them is the academic void. The academic void is that gap in learning, or the lack of proper leadership/support in the school system between major life changes. For example, transitioning from high school to college, or college to a career.

The academic void can happen at any point in your academic career; it's a general term for missing important information. This can happen from one semester to the next as you build knowledge in your field of study.

An academic void can be caused by major shifts in learning. When you transition from high school to college, courses shift from daily, teacher-led guidance to independent study. These shifts can create an academic void. One major shift in learning is self-learning. Moving from high school to college, or from one class style to another between semesters, can lead to feelings of being lost or having gaps in knowledge when moving from one topic to another. 

An example of a shift that can create an academic void is how many assignments affect your grade. The shift from memorizing to applying material can also be distressing. Testing structures that once depended on memorization now rely on application and understanding.

How The Academic Void Affect Professional Skills

The academic void can also be a disconnect, or "broken bridge," where higher education teaches theory but fails to provide practical job skills, professional networks, or a clear path to employment. 

Missing networking and durable skills can cause many problems for students transitioning into their careers. These skills can include leadership, the ability to take charge and hold your own in the workforce, applying real-world problem-solving, or something as simple as communication, which can become a major challenge.

Networking comes up a lot on our podcast because the importance of networking skills in your professional life can’t be overstated. Check out Coach Podcast Episode 128: The Power of Networking to learn a little more, too!

Combatting the Void

Many resources across campus can help with the feeling of being lost that the academic void leaves. One time-management resource to combat the void is one we have talked about quite a bit. Google Calendar or Apple Calendar, with its task options, can help you manage your time and list everything you have to do, whether for college or your career. Setting up a calendar with prioritized tasks can help you track what is most pressing at any given time.

SMART Goals:

SMART goals are also a great resource for anyone at any time. Remember, SMART goals are:

• Specific: Your goal must be clear and plain so you know exactly what to do.
• Measurable: You must have a way to track your progress and count your success.
• Achievable: The goal must be realistic and possible for you to reach.
• Relevant: The goal must matter to you and fit your larger plans.
• Time-bound: The goal must have a set deadline or end date.  

Resources and Support

Resources are available across campus, and you can use tools after college to combat the academic void and make it less scary in the future.

As Academic Peer Coaches, we can help with a variety of issues that can come from the academic void. If you want to chat about how to combat the challenges of the void, make an appointment with us!

We also work closely with the Student Success Center to give students tools and strategies to help them succeed. One of our collabs, Scholars Hack, is a great way to connect to resources and fill the academic void.

While this void can feel like an all-consuming darkness, you can fill it with knowledge and make college a brighter experience. I’ll leave you with a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt: “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”