Taiwanese university students work, not study

When the school bell rang, I looked around; there were supposed to be about 70 students in the classroom, but there were only eight. The professor entered the classroom and began his lecture without comment.

This is not a scene from a movie, but a regular occurrence in many universities in Taiwan. During my two years of study, I observed that students arriving late or skipping classes was a common occurrence, and professors did not respond much to it. At first I thought this was a phenomenon specific to my school, but later I realized it was happening in universities all over Taiwan.

From my interactions with classmates and the older generation, it seems that the problem is not with universities, but with pedagogy, examinations and even the entire education system.

In Taiwan, high school grades are crucial for college admission, and getting good grades often requires extensive “textbook memorization.” Schools focus mainly on exam results and usually do not emphasize skills such as time management, life wisdom and social responsibility, which are not tested on college entrance exams but are essential life skills.

After getting into college and experiencing “freedom,” many students who don’t know how to manage their lives become consumed with club activities, extracurricular activities, and work. They participated in club activities late into the night, filled their schedules with work shifts, and sacrificed study and sleep. As a result, they came to classes late or even missed classes altogether.

How did work become their “main path” while their education became secondary? First, it comes down to time management and prioritizing tasks. When there is no clear distinction between what one “wants” and what one “should” do, under the influence of various temptations and distractions, students put their academic pursuits on the back burner.

The second reason has to do with Taiwan’s current economy. In recent years, inflation has hit Taiwan hard, and commodity prices have risen. Many lower-income students are forced to work to support themselves. Despite the available educational subsidies, these students face significant pressure to meet daily living costs. Since everyone has the same amount of time, they often sacrifice hours of study and even sleep to meet their work commitments.

When their exam results suffer because of work, a vicious cycle occurs – tardies affect their learning and grades, reducing their motivation to study. This lack of motivation distracts them from academic learning, making work the main focus of their lives rather than education.

It’s not just Taiwanese students who are struggling to cope with the financial burden; International students, especially those who pay for their own education, also have to bear costs such as tuition fees, dormitory fees, living expenses, etc. Many of them are busy with work. My classmate, who is an international student, had to withdraw from classes because he often had to work overtime and was unable to get to classes on time.

Inflation affects everyone, and students are no exception.

I believe Taiwan needs to make two changes.

First, the education system needs to adapt. Middle and high schools need to shift their focus from producing “bookworms” to raising students with a sense of responsibility and effective time management skills. This approach is crucial to changing students’ approach to learning when they enter college.

While I agree that it makes sense for students to participate in class, it shouldn’t negatively impact their learning. Better time management and prioritization are essential to solving this problem.

Secondly, more financial support should be provided to disadvantaged students, such as lowering or subsidizing school and dormitory fees, as well as subsidizing meals on campus. Meals on campus should be cheaper than eating elsewhere, but this is not always the case at the moment; the prices at the food stalls at my university are quite high. I believe there are many more ways to help students ease the financial pressure so that they can better focus on their studies.

Without active intervention, a significant number of university students in Taiwan may not acquire the knowledge they are expected to acquire in higher education. Instead, they may become trapped in a cycle of extracurricular activities and work, and ultimately waste their time in college.