As educators, we have seen a dramatic shift in the demographic of the current college student.  This student can no longer just show up for class and study afterward.  They can no longer join clubs and take time to enjoy them.  These students now come to class with a host of challenges. There are many new first generation college students, who start college with very little knowledge of what to expect and how succeed in the collegiate world.  There are adult learners who crave the knowledge of education, and want their degree, but have to find time to attend classes while balancing a full-time job and possibly while balancing a family.  There are the international students who are pursuing a degree in a foreign country, one that is not always welcoming, and user friendly to them.  The student’s challenges then become the professor’s challenges, making effective teaching difficult at times. This presentation will summarize a survey of questions collected in the spring 2018 regarding student’s situations, perceptions, and their challenges.  The presenter conducted the survey to see if her college students’ experiences matched what was found in literature review.  As teachers we must learn how to balance all of these populations in one classroom and this presentation will discuss the challenges that students are facing and will finish with a discussion of suggestions on how to be more than just a professor in the classroom while maintaining a rigorous learning environment.