University Life and Stress
College is an exciting time for young adults. It is full of new challenges, opportunities, and experiences. While these may be exhilarating, they can leave a college student feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
The mounting pressure, workload, and expenses of higher education has a way of building up which often leads to depression, burnout, or anxiety.
In fact, anxiety and stress in college students are becoming a serious issue and its risk to a student’s physical and mental health is often overlooked.
Being able to manage stress is crucial to a student’s success and overall well-being. The average age where various mental health conditions often start is around 18 to 24 years. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 75% of young adults with early-onset anxiety may begin to experience symptoms before they reach the age of 22.
University students are very vulnerable to mental health problems. They are in a transition stage to adulthood. Those most at risk find that many of the adult “firsts” that they are experiencing especially challenging. College presents newfound freedom that comes with all the important things like responsibility, accountability, and laundry. Many college students struggle with finding a balance between these and their goals.
Anxiety and depression are the two most common reasons why many students seek mental health services while in school.
Stress and Anxiety:
Stress is a normal part of life. It is the natural fight-or-flight instinct that each person has in response to the challenges presented to them. This natural reaction manifests differently for each individual. Everyone will feel stress at some point in their lives. But if it gets out of hand, stress can seriously have harmful effects on the body.
There are three types of stress that every person may experience during their lifetime.
Acute stress is the most common type. It arises in response to unexpected events. Typically, it fades quickly, either on its own or once the issue causing it becomes resolved.
It doesn’t often lead to any serious health concerns. In some cases, acute stress can actually become a positive learning experience.
The other type of stress is called episodic acute stress. This type occurs frequently. Students with this kind of stress are literally always in a crisis mode. They are often irritable, anxious, and prone to constant worrying. People with episodic stress often feel overwhelmed and find it very difficult to manage their stress.
Lastly, chronic stress is another type and is defined as never-ending stress that feels as if there is no way out or end in sight. This type of stress eventually begins to affect health. Chronic stress definitely requires help.
Anxiety, on the other hand, is the body’s response to stress. It is a feeling of apprehension or fear of what is about to occur.
College students who experience anxiety often show nervousness, unease, sweating, trembling, insomnia, and inability to focus. Students with anxiety would often avoid places or activities that may trigger those feelings. This, in turn, can negatively affect their quality of life and mar their university experience. They may often downplay their anxiety and its effects. Doing so may place them in a potentially dangerous mental health condition.
Anxiety is prevalent among college students because they are in the middle of a major life transition.
How to Deal with Stress and Anxiety:
In light of the considerable stress college students may face, there are several helpful ways that can help manage the arrays of real-life stressors and improve quality of life. Here are some tips to help manage stress while in college:
- Get plenty of sleep
- Stay positive
- Find a stress outlet
- Relaxation techniques
- Talk to someone
- Seek mental health help
- Do not procrastinate
- Get academic support
