College Students and Mental Health: The Psychological Impact of College Stress

According to the Academic Stress and Mental Well-Being in College Students: Correlations, Affected Groups, and COVID-19 research, “academic stress may be the single most dominant stress factor that affects the mental well-being of college students. Even though college years are usually portrayed as exciting with new opportunities and experiences, academic pressure is also part of the process.

Unfortunately, high expectations can contribute to anxiety, stress, depression and other mental health conditions. Understanding the psychological impact of stress caused by the environment of higher education is essential in order to address and combat the challenges of mental health and college students combo like a pro.

Why Do Students Feel Overwhelmed?

Life’s journey is multi-sided, and so are the challenges, including college students and mental health. The sources of academic pressure may vary, from too much work that makes students seek essay, research paper and dissertation writing services to personal issues, homesickness, procrastination and more. The most common reasons for overwhelming feelings include: 

• Work/load dilemma: Undergrads usually have to deal with a hectic academic schedule, requiring them to juggle various exams, tests, projects and assignments they should complete to keep up with the curriculum.
• Sky-high expectations: Professors, tutors, family members and friends create an overwhelming sense of responsibility in young people who are afraid to take the wrong step and fail.
• Lack of money: Financial troubles, the rising cost of education and the money they need to live independently can create anxiety and insecurity.
• 24/7 competition: In many educational institutions, young people find themselves stuck in a kind of race. Every day is like a new level in a computer game, where you have to do your best no matter what. Grades, part-time job opportunities, internships and finding-yourself dilemmas are just a couple of competitive areas.
• Work-life balance: Intense college demands mean too little time for socializing with friends, having some me-time and relaxing. Many students feel emotionally exhausted and face burnout as a result.  
• Poor time management skills: Many college students have not the slightest idea of how to manage their precious time properly, so it is easy to overschedule yourself without noticing it.

The Psychological Cost Students Pay for Academic Stress

Some stress is natural and motivates us to keep going, succeed and reach the stars. However, the reality is that persistent stress can become a huge obstacle in academic life, affecting students’ performance and overall desire to progress. Not only is college stress quite real, but it also causes a range of issues:

• Anxiety and depression: If your child suffers from nonstop stress, anxiety and depressive disorders may develop. Your child may experience sadness, abnormal fatigue, worry, lack of motivation to keep going and difficulty focusing on the simplest tasks. Being totally overwhelmed by routine tasks, undergrads tend to have regular panic attacks.
• Burnout: Different types of pressures in both academic and extracurricular niches can become the main causes for burnout. The latter usually has the following symptoms: class performance drops, your child feels emotional exhaustion and may have a strong sense of detachment from studies and social activities.
• Low self-esteem: Pressure can ruin self-confidence, making your child doubt their abilities and self-worth.
• Sleeping too little/too much: Sleep patterns can get seriously disrupted due to constant stress. As a result, students suffer from excessive sleeping or insomnia. Both issues have a negative impact on physical and mental well-being.
• Substance use: Young people may turn to drugs, alcohol, or too much caffeine in order to combat stress. Unfortunately, substance abuse doesn’t help solve problems. Instead, they tend to multiply.
• Health problems: When suffering from chronic stress, your child’s immune system weakens, which means they’re more prone to illnesses, headaches, digestive problems, etc.

Learn more: Myths about the College Search and Planning for Multiple Kids in College

How to De-Stress in College

What can your child do to battle anxieties and keep their stress at manageable levels? Let’s take a look.

1. Sleep!

Your child may miss sleep with an overpacked schedule. But dealing with college tasks and responsibilities can be tough when sleep-deprived. In order to stay productive and avoid stress, encourage your child to get seven or eight hours of sleep.

2. Regular Exercise

One of the best ways to blow off steam is by doing regular workouts. College and university students who put physical activities on their to-do lists tend to suffer from stress less frequently in contrast to those who do not exercise. Encourage them to choose the physical activity that works best for them. It can be yoga, swimming, walking, biking or anything else they like. Just move!

3. Breathe In, Breathe Out

Encourage your child to try breathing techniques. Your child can try box breathing, belly breathing, alternate-nostril breathing or anything else that helps relieve stress in minutes, especially before a test or exam.

4. Listen to Music

Music can help calm or stimulate the brain, and it’s good for your child’s body as well. Playing classical music during study sessions helps relaxation, and choosing the right dorm room essentials can help you. (Check out our dorm hacks.)

5. Find Support

If your child can’t cope with academic stress without extra help, create a strong network of like-minded people. Whether they start a study group or take part in various leisure, social and academic activities, it can help meet new people.

6. Fix Eating Habits

What your child eats every day can fix their energy, and the more high-quality food they ingest, the more it helps withstand stress. Avoid high-fat and high-sugar snacks, which are a temporary pleasure and provide their body and mind with zero energy. Eat regularly (don’t skip meals!), stay hydrated (always have a bottle of water!), choose healthy snacks and limit coffee, cigarettes and alcohol.

7. Worry Less

Sounds difficult, but it’s crucial to cut stress whenever possible. What disturbs your child? Is it something worth worrying about? 

No? Excellent! Prioritize worries since it is an essential step toward reducing stress.

8. Accept that Perfection Doesn’t Exist

Nobody’s perfect, and it’s acceptable to make mistakes. Tell your child they’re a precious human being, must care for themselves, and forgive the mistakes they make in their academic journey. If their essay on Hamlet got a C, that’s no big deal. The world will not fall apart because of that. To err is human!

9. Relinquish Control

Tell your child they can control things and can’t control others, so have them focus on the things they can control. They can control their behaviors and choices, but they can’t control other people. They cannot control their professor’s test but they can control their preparation routine and manage their time wisely to boost their skills before the test.

A gap year after high school may help your child grow and mature a bit before they opt for college.

Avoid Psychological Consequences as Much as Possible

Your child may not be able to avoid academic pressure once they enroll in college, and this kind of negative experience can have severe psychological consequences. Every participant of the academic process (undergrads, professors, parents) must recognize that college stress is a serious issue and we should all prioritize mental health.

At College Money Tips, we work to help students find the right fit for their situation, and that includes considering the right school for their academic and social requirements. Reach out to us now if you’re not sure how to tackle finding the right fit.