news – Page 2 – Acadora

Struggling at University? You’re Not Alone and No One Talks About This Enough

For many students in Sri Lanka, getting into university is supposed to be the dream. Years of exams, pressure, sacrifices, all leading to one moment of success. But once the excitement fades, reality hits hard.

Behind the lecture halls and graduation photos, thousands of university students are quietly struggling, academically, financially, mentally, and emotionally. And most of the time, they feel like they’re the only ones going through it. They’re not.

The Pressure Nobody Warned You About

University life isn’t just about lectures and exams. It’s about surviving a system that often feels unprepared for the students it serves. Overcrowded classrooms.
limited access to resources and outdated teaching methods. Many students want to learn but the environment makes it harder than it should be.

Financial Stress That Never Takes a Break

For students from low- and middle-income families, university life comes with constant worry. Rent. Transport. Food. Printing notes. Internet costs. Even state universities aren’t truly “free” anymore. Financial stress doesn’t just affect wallets, it affects concentration, confidence, and mental health.

“What Am I Even Doing This Degree For?”

One of the most common, yet rarely discussed struggles is uncertainty about the future. Many students enter degree programs without proper career guidance. Years later, they’re stuck asking:

Will this degree get me a job?
Am I wasting my time?
What skills do employers actually want?

The silence around these questions makes students feel lost and anxious.

Mental Health: The Quiet Crisis

Academic pressure, family expectations, social comparison, and financial struggles all pile up and with that comes: Anxiety. Burnout. Loneliness. Yet mental health support on campuses is often limited or students are too afraid to ask for help because “everyone else seems fine.”

Spoiler: they’re not.

The Truth No One Says Out Loud

Struggling at university doesn’t mean you’re weak. Feeling lost doesn’t mean you’re failing and being confused about your future doesn’t mean you’re behind. It means the system needs to do better and students need honest conversations, real guidance, and practical support.

Students deserve more than just degrees; they deserve clarity, confidence, and real-world readiness.

Related Reads:

New Universities Act Explained: What Sri Lankan Undergraduates Really Need to Know

Top Misconceptions About Choosing a Master’s Degree

Choosing a master’s degree is a major step toward building your future but too many students make decisions based on myths instead of facts. These misconceptions can lead to picking the wrong programme, wasting time, or missing out on better opportunities. Check out these misunderstandings and find the truth behind them so you can make a smarter choice.

1. “Any Master’s Degree Will Guarantee a Better Job”

Almost everyone thinks that simply having a master’s degree means you’ll automatically get a better job but in reality, a postgraduate degree can improve your employment prospects but only if it’s relevant to your career goals and industry demands. Employers look at the skills you bring, not just the title of your degree. Choosing a course that matches your career path and equips you with practical skills is far more important than the degree itself.

2. “Prestigious Universities Are Always the Best Choice”

The misconception is that more prestigious names equal better programmes whereas in reality, reputation is important, but it isn’t everything. A top-ranked university may have limited options in your specific area of interest. In contrast, a lesser-known institution might offer excellent training, closer mentorship, or stronger industry connections in your field. What matters most is fit; not brand name.

3. “A Master’s Degree Is Only for Academics”

Misconception: Master’s degrees are only for people who want to become researchers or lecturers.

Reality: Postgraduate study benefits a wide range of professionals. Many master’s programmes focus on industry-ready skills, real-world projects, internships, and professional networking. Whether you want to become a specialist, move into management, or switch careers, the right master’s degree can help.

4. “You Must Know Your Career Path Before Applying”

If you’re not 100% sure about your career, you shouldn’t pursue a master’s. People might repeat this for a while but time will say, it’s good to have direction, but you don’t need a perfect roadmap.

Masters programmes often help you clarify your goals and explore new areas. What matters is picking a subject that genuinely interests you and builds useful skills. You can refine your exact career focus later.

5. “Online Degrees Are Less Valuable”

Misconception: Online or distance learning isn’t as respected as on-campus study.

Reality: Today, many online programmes are developed by top universities and accredited in the same way as campus degrees. What matters is accreditation, quality of curriculum, and learning outcomes, not delivery mode. Online degrees can be especially valuable if you need flexibility while working or managing other commitments.

6. “Higher Cost Means Higher Quality”

People have misunderstood that expensive tuition means a better degree but while quality programmes sometimes cost more, price alone doesn’t guarantee value. Scholarships, funding opportunities, and lower-cost programmes can offer excellent education and outcomes. What counts is return on investment; the skills, networks, and opportunities you gain from the programme.

7. “You Must Choose a Programme That Matches Your Bachelor’s Major”

Misconception: You can only do a master’s in the same field as your bachelor’s.

Reality: Many postgraduate degrees accept students from diverse academic backgrounds. For example, business, IT, psychology, and education programmes often welcome interdisciplinary applicants. Changing fields is possible; as long as you can demonstrate interest, aptitude, and a clear reason for the switch.

Choose Strategically, Not Emotionally

A master’s degree is a significant investment of time, money, and effort. Don’t let misconceptions shape your choice. Instead, you can focus on your career goals, the real strengths of each programme, the skills you’ll gain and how they apply to your desired path and accreditation and industry recognition.

Making an informed choice today can set you up for success tomorrow.

Sources: Should I do a Masters?

While you’re at it, check out our recent article:

University Rankings in Sri Lanka 2025: Who’s Leading the Pack?

Doomsday Clock 2026: What the “85 Seconds from Midnight” Really Means for the World

The Doomsday Clock has been set to 85 seconds to midnight which is the closest it’s ever been since it was introduced in 1947, signaling rising global risks and existential threats.

Let’s get into simple terms. The Doomsday Clock isn’t a countdown timer in the usual sense because it doesn’t tick down in real time like the usual clocks do and it doesn’t precisely predict the moment the world will end. But when scientists say we are 85 seconds to midnight, it is hard not to pause and feel uneasy.

What does the midnight represent? Midnight in this case represents global catastrophe or a point where human-made threats like war, climate collapse, technology and pandemics overwhelm our entire abilities to control them. What’s more concerning is that being this close has never happened before. According to the scientists behind the Doomsday Clock, we are closer to disaster than any point in modern history.

This 85 seconds is symbolic and not literal. It doesn’t mean that the world ends in 85 seconds; rather it represents how compressed the margin for error has become. In simple terms, we no longer have the luxury of time to reverse our mistakes. We had time before, but now, we don’t anymore.

One reason the clock moved closer this year, 2026, is because, as experts have pointed out, a dangerous mix of problems is occurring all at once. This is indeed true because today, nuclear tensions remain as high as ever (especially with diplomatic trust becoming more fragile), climate change is advancing rapidly, biological risks including pandemics remain a real threat almost every day and international cooperation is weakening, particularly when it is needed the most.

These not only say that individually, these risks are serious but also together, they amplify each other.

This clock is not saying, “it’s over.” But it’s definitely saying, “this is the moment to act.” The closer the clock gets to midnight, the louder the warning becomes. The scientists state that it is possible to move the clock back but it solely depends on human choice rather than fate.

We may not know how soon things could unravel but one thing is sure now: the time to fix what’s broken is now, not later.

Sources: Doomsday Clock 2026: Scientists set new time

Want to find out how technology has rewritten childhood? Read:

Kids Swiping Books Like Phones: Losing Childhood to Technology

China-Sri Lanka Partnership Strengthened through School Uniform Donation

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, reaffirmed the strong relationship between China and Sri Lanka, highlighting education as a shared foundation for equality and development.

Speaking at an event held recently to mark China’s continued donation of free school uniform materials, the Prime Minister stated that both China and Sri Lanka can be identified as nations committed to providing equal access to fundamental education for all children. She emphasized that such collaborations play a crucial role in ensuring educational equity across the country.

Dr. Amarasuriya noted that the support extended by the Chinese government has been a significant strength in Sri Lanka’s efforts to maintain quality education, particularly during challenging times. She further stated that China’s long-standing commitment to providing school uniform materials, fulfilled consistently over several years, clearly reflects the mutual trust, respect, and enduring friendship between the two countries.

“The uninterrupted fulfillment of this promise demonstrates China’s solidarity with Sri Lanka, especially during periods of difficulty,” she said, expressing gratitude on behalf of all Sri Lankans for the generous donation.

As part of this initiative, the Chinese community has donated school uniform fabric valued at approximately 11.484 million units as a full grant. The materials delivered to Sri Lanka in five shipments. The official handover of the donation was made to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Qi Zhenhong.

It is expected that approximately 4,418,404 students will receive school uniforms this year. Distribution of the materials to Divisional Education Offices was scheduled to begin from January 19, 2026. Free school uniforms will be provided to students in government schools, government-approved Pirivenas, and government-approved Pirivena institutions across the island, under a programme implemented by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong highlighted the long-standing and resilient relationship between China and Sri Lanka, noting that the partnership has endured despite various challenges. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s education sector and contributing to the country’s long-term development.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madura Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, and several other officials.

Losing Weight When Your Body Is Tired: A Gentle Guide for Adults

For many people in their twenties and thirties, weight gain doesn’t come from overeating alone. It builds quietly, through years of demanding physical labour, skipped meals followed by heavy dinners, sugary soft drinks to push through exhaustion, old injuries that never fully healed, and the unspoken belief that “I’ll worry about my health later.”

Then one day, something happens.
A doctor’s warning. A frightening test result. A moment that makes you pause and realise that your body has been carrying far more than it should.

That’s usually where the real journey begins.

Why Hunger Feels Constant and Why it’s not Your Fault

When someone carries significant excess weight, hunger is often hormonal and metabolic, not a lack of willpower. Years of high sugar intake, especially from soft drinks, train the body to expect quick energy. Refined carbohydrates, white rice eaten in large portions, bakery items, and processed snacks spike blood sugar rapidly and cause it to crash just as fast.

That crash feels like:

Sudden hunger
Irritability
Fatigue
Cravings for more sugar

When movement becomes limited due to work or even knee pain, back injuries, or joint damage, the cycle intensifies. The body burns fewer calories, but hunger signals remain loud.

The solution is not eating less, but eating smarter foods that stay with you longer.

Choosing Snacks that Calm Hunger (Low Sodium and easy to eat)

While snacks like fresh fruits, plain curd, and boiled eggs are undeniably healthy and effective for weight loss, they often feel repetitive and uninspiring. When people think about dieting and imagine eating the same few foods every day for weeks or even months, the motivation quickly fades. The diet may be healthy, but the excitement disappears.

The truth is, sustainability matters more than perfection. A diet only works if you can enjoy it long enough to see results.

That’s where creativity comes in.

Below are a selection of simple yet interesting recipes made using the same healthy ingredients but prepared in ways that feel comforting, flavourful, and enjoyable. These recipes are designed to help you stay consistent not just for a few weeks, but potentially for months or even years, without feeling deprived.

Easy, Interesting & Joint-Friendly Recipes for Healthy Weight Loss

1. Creamy Papaya – Curd Breakfast Bowl: Sweet without sugar, filling without heaviness.

You’ll need

Ripe papaya (1 cup, diced)
Plain low-fat curd (½ cup)
A pinch of cinnamon

How to make

Mix everything gently. Chill for 10 minutes if you like it cold.

This tastes like dessert, stabilises blood sugar, and helps curb soda cravings early in the day.

2. Soft Egg & Pumpkin Mash: Comfort food energy with almost no sodium.

You’ll need

Pumpkin (1 cup, boiled until very soft)
Eggs (2)
Black pepper (tiny pinch)
Lime juice (optional)

How to make

Mash the pumpkin while warm. Soft-boil the eggs, chop, and fold into the mash. Add pepper and a squeeze of lime.

This feels like a hearty village meal but keeps you full for hours.

3. Savoury Oats with Sri Lankan Flavours: Replaces white rice without feeling “foreign.”

You’ll need

Oats (½ cup)
Water or low-fat milk
Onion (a few slices)
Carrot or pumpkin (grated)
Turmeric (pinch)

How to make

Cook oats until very soft. Stir in vegetables and turmeric. Simmer until creamy.

This has familiar flavours, zero sauces, very joint-friendly texture.

4. Gotukola & Curd Comfort Blend: Cooling, healing, and extremely filling.

You’ll need

Gotukola (finely chopped)
Plain curd (½–¾ cup)
Lime juice

How to make

Mix everything gently. Let it rest 5 minutes before eating.

This traditional medicine meets modern weight control.

5. Banana-Cinnamon Smooth Comfort Drink: Kills soda cravings instantly.

You’ll need

Small ripe banana
Plain curd or low-fat milk
Cinnamon

How to make

Blend until smooth. Drink slowly.

This is naturally sweet with no crash nor guilt.

6. Soft Vegetable & Egg Soup (No Stock Cubes): Warm, satisfying, and low blood-pressure friendly.

You’ll need

Pumpkin, carrot, beans (chopped small)
Water
Egg (1)
Pepper

How to make

Boil vegetables until very soft. Crack egg into soup and stir gently. Add pepper.

7. Pineapple & Curd Afternoon Bowl: Controls evening snacking.

You’ll need

Pineapple (small cubes)
Plain curd

How to make

Mix and chill slightly.

8. Warm Oats & Papaya Evening Bowl: Calms hunger before dinner.

You’ll need

Cooked oats
Papaya (soft cubes)
Cinnamon

How to make

Mix oats and papaya while warm. Sprinkle cinnamon.

Kerala’s Shocking Truth: Super Educated yet Super Unemployed

Kerala has India’s highest literacy at 96.2%, surpassing or rather beating the national average for literacy rates. Malayalis chase degrees, dream big, and vote left for welfare. Yet, over 25% of educated rural youth and 20% urban grads sit jobless, turning the situation into a paradox of pride and pain.

The Wrong Kind of Smarts

Due to big government spends, Kerala’s schools reach everyone. But Malayalis focus stays on conventional degrees in arts and science for “white-collar” government jobs and with thousands applying for the same public sector spot, job opportunities get drastically unavailable, leading the same thousands of young to settle for lower-paying jobs like peons or janitors. Malayalis strong preference for salaried jobs rather than entrepreneurship is rooted in another kind of reality which really uncovers the effects of having an unhealthy education system as well as a political climate. On one hand, Malayalis who are not self-taught yet excessively drown in unnecessary conventional studies do not possess the kinds of skills that match self-employment. Their educated grads twiddle thumbs while factories beg for workers.

Educated Unemployment

This educated unemployment has become a serious test of Kerala’s development. As a result of constantly struggling to create enough suitable jobs, a large numbers of Malayalis migrated abroad, especially to Gulf countries, in search of better employment opportunities. Over time, the “Gulf Malayali” became a familiar figure in Kerala’s social and cultural life and was often viewed as financially stable and highly desirable.

*The theatrical release movie poster for the 2015 Malayalam film ‘Pathemari’, that depicts the socio-economic struggles of the Gulf Malayali*. Image credits: The Kerala Paradox: From High Literacy to High Educated Unemployment

The Kerala- Gulf diaspora, numbering over two million people, has played a major role in the state’s economy. In 2019 alone, remittances from abroad brought in nearly $14–15 billion, boosting household income, consumption, and savings, and contributing significantly to economic growth. However, this migration also created a shortage of local workers in low-skilled sectors such as construction and coconut harvesting. These jobs are now largely filled by migrant workers from North-Eastern Indian states. This balance between skilled emigration and migrant labour inflow has become a key feature of Kerala’s economic development. But in the wake of oil crashes, visa cuts, and COVID slashing over 300,000 jobs since 2013, the Malayali’s diaspora’s dream has been fading. Then unemployment started hitting 26.5% as of May 2020 and now returning grads face empty promises with no high-skill gigs waiting.

Despite these rates, a gender gap in literacy seemingly continues to persist across India. Men consistently show higher literacy levels than women, reflecting long-standing social and economic inequalities in access to education. In states like Kerala, this gap is much smaller due to strong investments in education, but women still fall just behind men. In contrast, states with lower literacy levels show much wider differences, with far fewer women able to access basic education. This highlights that while progress has been made, achieving true gender equality in education remains an ongoing challenge. This in fact underlines the need for continued policy focus on gender equality in education.

Sources:

Mathrubhumi News, 2019.
The Kerala Paradox: From High Literacy to High Educated Unemployment
At 96.2%, Kerala tops literacy rate chart; Andhra Pradesh worst performer at 66.4%

Which European Country has the Best Education System?

Europe boasts strong schools, but one country stands out. Recent studies rank Estonia as number one for education quality and access. It scores a whopping 91.86 out of 100 which is way ahead of others. Curious why? Let’s dive into the details, from top test scores to smart daily routines.

Why Estonia Leads the Pack

Estonia shines in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), run by the OECD. This tests 15-year-olds in math, reading, and science.

Top PISA marks: Estonia leads Europe with 509.95 in math, 511 in reading, and 525.81 in science.

Long school time: Kids average 13.55 years in education, plenty of time to build skills.

Smart spending: Government puts 14.35% of its budget into schools, fueling quality classes and tools.

Daily rhythm: School starts at 8 a.m., ends at 3 p.m. Lessons last 45 minutes with 10-minute breaks keeping young minds fresh, not fried.

This mix creates sharp thinkers ready for real-world challenges.

Close Rivals: Top 5 Breakdown

Estonia isn’t alone at the top. Here’s how the next best stack up:

Rank	Country	Score (Quality/Access)	Key Strengths	School Day Notes
1	Estonia	91.86	1 in Math/Science PISA	8am-3pm, short lessons + breaks
2	Switzerland	84.92	2 Math PISA	8:30am-3:30pm, long lunch, Wed off
3	Ireland	84.78	1 reading PISA	5h40m primary day incl. breaks
4	United Kingdom	81.90	Strong science PISA	8:30am-3pm, 45-min lunch
5	Finland	81.55	#2 science PISA	Short 5-hour days, 8am-2pm

The UK hits 4th with solid science scores and 13.41 years average schooling, but spends less (10.56%) whereas Finland keeps days short for balance.

What gives Estonia its sharp edge in education?

It’s all about smart choices, not just more hours. The country pours serious money into schools which is 14.35% of the national budget, ensuring modern classrooms, trained teachers, and cutting-edge tools like digital learning platforms that make lessons interactive and fun.

School days strike a perfect balance: starting fresh at 8 a.m. and wrapping by 3 p.m., with 45-minute classes broken by quick 10 -minute rests, something Sri Lankan school system lacks severely. This prevents burnout, letting kids absorb more without exhaustion, leading to those sky-high PISA scores (top in math and science across Europe).

Credits: