It’s no secret that college students are under a lot of pressure. With exams, papers, and projects due all at once, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Not to mention the added stress for college students for trying to find a job or internship! And if you’re one of the lucky ones who also has to worry about paying for school, things can get even more stressful. So the question is – why college students are stressed? According to a 2019 study conducted by the American College Health Association, 45% of American college students claimed to undergo “more than average stress,” while 33% of students reported “average stress” and 13.4% saying they felt “tremendous stress.” Students who reported “no stress” or “less than average stress” combined for about 8% total.
If you’re feeling stressed out, you’re not alone. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why college students are stressed out and offer some tips on what you can do to reduce the stress in your life.
Why are College Students Stressed?
There are a number of reasons why college students are stressed. As mentioned earlier, in college students not only have to deal with a bigger academic workload, but they are expected to be involved socially, plan financially, and adjust to living away from home for the first time or the stress of moving into a dorm. All of these factors can lead to stress.
Some reasons why college students are stressed include:
Dealing with a bigger academic workload
In college, students are expected to juggle multiple classes, exams, and projects all at once. This can be overwhelming and lead to a lot of stress for college students.
Trying to find a job or internship
The pressure to find a job or internship can be stressful for college students. Especially if you don’t know what you want to do after graduation
Paying for school
For many college students, paying for tuition, room and board, and other expenses can be a major source of stress. At Ohio State University, 70% of students reported feeling stressed about their finances and 60% worried about having enough to pay for school. Finances are an issue for almost every college student, with many working part-time jobs to make ends meet.
The pressure to succeed
In today’s society, there is a lot of pressure on young people to succeed. With the cost of tuition and the competition for jobs, many students feel like they have to do everything perfectly in order to be successful. Stress issues often start before a prospective student even reaches campus because college acceptance has become increasingly competitive as well. In 2018, 4% more students applied than the previous year and only 65.4% were accepted according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
The fear of failure
Along with the pressure to succeed, there is also a fear of failure. This can be especially true for students who are the first in their family to go to college. There is a lot of pressure to make sure you don’t “waste” your opportunity.
Social media
Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but it can also be a source of stress for college students. Constantly seeing other people’s highlight reel can make you feel like you’re not doing enough or that you’re not good enough.
The future
College is often seen as a time to prepare for the “real world.” But this can be a lot of pressure for students who are not sure what they want to do with their life. The future can seem very daunting and uncertain.
What Can You Do to Reduce Stress?
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to reduce stress for college students. One of the best things you can do is to develop a healthy routine. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. When your body is healthy and strong, you’ll be better able to handle stress. In fact, according to the same 2019 ACHA study, 44% of college students in the U.S. admit to feeling inadequately-rested five out of seven days a week. And, one in four American college students indicate that lack of sleep has affected their academic performance in a negative way: lower grades, missed a paper or project deadline, or had to withdraw from class.
Another great way to reduce stress for college students is to find an outlet for your creativity. This can be anything from painting to writing to playing music. Doing something you love will help you relax and de-stress.
Finally, one of the most important things you can do is to reach out for help when you need it. Whether it’s talking to a therapist or joining a support group, there are people who can help you get through this tough time.
If you’re feeling stressed, remember that you’re not alone. There are things you can do to reduce the amount of stress in your life. By taking care of yourself and reaching out for help when you need it, you can get through this tough time.