Most guitars, especially cheaper ones have a to high action near the nut demanding a greater force to push down on the strings, check that out first, press the first and six string down on the third fret and check the action between string and first fret, it should almost be touching like a 1/10 of a mm, if it is more then the nut needs to be sanded down. Take it to a luthier if you're not confident with it.

Herman