Psychological balance is necessary, not only for our well being, but also for the benefit of those we interact with. However, it is not always easy for college students to maintain that balance. Students face problems in their classes, such as procrastination or simply a difficult professor. Others might have to deal with large student loans and have to work multiple jobs while just barely getting by. For some, homesickness or depression might be a cause enormous stress in their lives. I have identified, in my own life, three ways to relieve college related stress and, in turn, work toward maintaining a psychological balance. The first method of relieving stress is one that, I believe, we all have utilized many times whether we know it or
According to Lupien, McEwan, Gunnar, and Heim (2009), going off to college involves significant adjustments to their daily routines; sleeping and eating habits, time-management skills, and stress levels will be altered in one way or another. First-year students have to adjust to the new school environment, different social settings, and new schedules, all without the help and guidance from their parents, who have been there for them for eighteen years. Over 30% of college freshman report that they feel overwhelmed (Klainberg, Ewing, & Ryan, 2010), where some students even opt to work as they juggle their class and work schedules. Some students work at a job or study harder than others, but they are all trying to get degrees so maybe one day they will have meaningful and significant lives. It is a constant struggle for everyone who is trying desperately to make him or herself into a success. And every college student wants to be involved in society in a positive manner, allowing contribution of their ideals and values to others.
Stress is a word that many college students hear on a daily basis; it is a concept that resonates with all students, regardless of age or major. People of all ages experience stress at various times in their lives, but college is a particular time when an individual can be plagued by heightened levels of it. At any given time, a college student might feel academic, financial, and social strains, yet they might not possess the resources to satisfy the demands of these stressors. Accumulation of these stressors (and stress in general) can have a negative impact on the lives of college students, but authors of a recent scientific study made an attempt to find the best techniques for reducing stress in college students.
According to a study by the Associated Press and mtvU, “eight in 10 college students say they have sometimes or frequently experienced stress in their daily lives over the past three months,” (‘Stress in College Students”). College Students are inevitably going to be affected by stress at some point throughout their college experience; however, the cause of the stress can vary by student. Some of the causes of stress on college students can be tests, homework, home life, social life, and jobs. Many times, college students have all or most of these causes piled on top of one another; therefore, giving them extremely high levels of stress. There are many negative effects of stress on college students.
The transition from high school to college is a notoriously daunting experience for students entering, arguably, the most important years in their lives. Everything that a student has come to know about academics, for the most part, are to be radically challenged. Many different factors go into the change, and any particular one can be enough to overwhelm any given student into becoming an emotional wreck. Whether it be living on one's own for the first time, drastic schedule changes, or becoming socially involved, these responsibilities are just three examples, among the seeming hundreds. However, a perfect balance between these responsibilities is a major key in not allowing the stressors to take one captive.
Regis College’s number one health concern is stress. The problem has come to be, due to the fact that students come from home, where their parents provided them with guidance, to a situation where they are independent. They have personal responsibility and it may not be completely straightforward for some people. Everyone’s experience is different, but each student experiences stress in some way. The competition for grades, the high expectations, relationships, future career choices, and several other aspects found in the college environment, can lead to stress. Going to college requires changes in daily routine. This includes sleeping adjustments, eating habits, time-management skills, balancing of relationships and several other changes.
Generally speaking, college requires a lot more effort from students than high school. Once you begin your college career, you will see that student’s are more motivated, professors are more demanding, and the workload is a lot more difficult. These academic standards are even more visible in graduate school. Now, although college is filled with adventurous opportunities, it can also be filled with stress. In other words, as a result of everything going on, it’s more common for college students to experience higher levels of stress related to school, work, finance, and in some cases, relationships.
As an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan concerned with the stress levels of my peers, I am writing to address the issue of not having enough stress-reducing activities for students year-round. As we all know, college is a very stressful time. Not a week goes by without having an exam, an essay due, or a presentation to give. And if it does, we spend that week prepping for whatever assignment we have the following week. We never get a break. This is why we need the Central Student Government’s help in providing enough stress-reducing activities year-round for every student who wants and needs them.
Stress is defined as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” Everyone deals with a situation throughout their life that results in stress. While everyone harbors stress, stress is especially apparent in college students. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the country’s largest grassroots mental health organization, rates of anxiety and depression have skyrocketed in what many are calling a crisis of mental health on college campuses. More than 5 million college students struggle with mental health (Heck). Because of this, it is pertinent that one finds healthy coping mechanisms.
Successful college students adapt into a proactive way of thinking to overcome the obstacles from courses. Success is found in stress management . “ Finding ways to increase coping resources will help students decrease the stressors that life will throw your way” ( Clarke University par. 3). Students should take time to receive adequate rest, good nutrition, exercise, and even prayer or meditation to reduce stress according to Clarke University. This proactive mindset allows students to overcome obstacles in a positive manner, “ we can control how we respond to what happens to us” (Covey p. 54). Students may not be able to control how much homework a professor may give, but are able to replace “victimitis” attitudes with a “can-do-attitude”, and relieve loads of stress. College is not an easy undertaking, but by managing stress, it becomes a much more feasible
Young adults experience a significant life transition when graduate from high school and enter college. During this transition, it may be the first time they are away from their friends and families. Additionally, it is a time where they have to learn how to live independently and become more self-sufficient. A common mindset in college is you have to receive exceptional grades as well as attain the best internship or work experience to succeed in life after college. This mindset causes a variety of academic, personal, work, and social pressure put upon college students. However, some individuals do not cope well with this type of pressure and feel overwhelmed. In some individuals, the overwhelming and anxious feeling does not go away and disrupts
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, “More than 40 percent of college students have felt more than an average amount of stress within the past 12 months.” (NAMI 1) Having stress in your life is unavoidable, but there are steps students can take to reduce its effects on their mental, physical, and emotional state being. To many people, college can seem a bit scary; for those who are just starting; it is a complete different learning environment than High School. With that being said, it means putting more time into assignment, managing time wisely, and the disadvantage of sleeping less. As a first year college student, I have stress out, struggling with anxiety, I have pulled my hairs and used up to much time trying to be
When college students taking their first steps onto a college campus, they can finally feel the independence that they were looking for. College can be a place for success as well as a place for partying. However, attending college will comes with many struggles. It is right that college is one of the most important parts in people’s life, but it is not easy for everyone. Most of students feel stressed in college because they have to face different varieties of of struggles. For example, some students have struggle with language and culture. Furthermore, Some college students have learning disability, so some courses might be very difficult for them. In addition, some students cannot afford the cost of education. However, these struggles
The impact of stress among college students may have a negative impact on the student’s psychological health. Research indicates that depression rates in college students have been increasingly rising over the years. In 2012, a study was conducted by the National Survey of Counseling Centers which resulted in 91% of the researchers found an increase in students with psychological needs. To resolve college students’ stressors, Surgeon General and additional research studies propose that students who are more active exhibit a decrease in stress, anxiety, and depression. In order to improve and retain a healthy lifestyle, physical activity
Students experience numerous stressors and challenges during their time in college, especially during the first semester (Credé, & Niehorster 2011). But what are those numerous stressors? Stressors for students are financial issues, lack of sleep, poor grades, challenges of balancing academics with social life, possibility dropping out of school, or being away from home. The reason for this research is to identify what will assist these students to adapt to the college atmosphere coming out of high school. What are those things that help the student transition?
Some major factors that were related to increased stress in undergraduate students were, working and studying full time, group projects, the amount of work in each course and stress associated with work (Persaud, & Persaud, 2016). Many studies have suggested that university undergraduate students go through various levels of stress for various reasons, so it is important to see how they cope with their stress (Kiessling, Schubert, Scheffner, & Burger, 2004). Researchers (Emi, Reiko, Mikoto, Ami, & Hisae, 2015) suggests that many undergraduate students go through high levels of stress and some can even lead to depression and show suicidal tendencies. Studies also show that stress among students had a direct correlation with interpersonal conflict and depression and these students also had decreased levels of academic motivation (Yunhui, Wei, & Jiang, 2016). In a similar study conducted by (Sherina, Rampal, & Kaneson, 2004) many undergraduate students suffer from a great deal of stress which is associated with