STRESS on STUDENTS by Colleges

 

Stress in college students

What is stress?

Stress is a normal and necessary part of life. It is your fight-or-flight response to challenges you see in the world. This natural reaction has certain physical effects on the body to allow you to better handle these challenges, such as increased heart rate and blood circulation.

When the pressures of university exceed students’ ability to cope

Today’s university students face many sources of stress and pressure that could negatively affect their academic performance. This could include the pressure to perform well academically while balancing their work and personal lives with the stress of living as frugally as possible to make each dollar stretch. Top it off with the anxiety of student debt and getting a job upon graduation, and it’s a simple recipe for a minor nervous breakdown.

Some university students may be crumbling under the pressures of university and the desire to do well in every aspect of life, a fact not helped by social media, where they’re bombarded with perfectly-curated images of their peers’ lives. 

Be it scoring the best internship, going on a cool study trip abroad, holding several leadership positions in extracurricular activities, being on the dean’s list for consecutive semesters or having an active social life with friends, there are many things that cause students to constantly compare themselves to others, even when they know it’s unrealistic and unhealthy to do so.

Pressures to succeed affect student health

The desire for successful children in a performance-based culture often consumes us before we realize it. “More is better” might innocently trickle into the mindset, but before you know it, the winner take all dynamics of a competitive society can easily become a part of our everyday lives.  Whether it’s coming from inside or outside of school, the need for our children to succeed is coming at us fast and consistently.

How to cope with stress and pressure of student life: 

1. Time management

The fear of running out of time triggers stress. Managing time will help you to stay calm and relaxed. Make a time table for your daily studies and tasks. The important thing to remember while making a work schedule is to keep it real and simple. Set priorities and keep a reminder for all the deadlines. Make sure your work schedule includes eight hours of sleep, frequent breaks during study time and time to relax.

2. Exercise

Working-out will not only keep your body healthy but will help you to stay active and focused. You can go for walking or work out in the gym. You body produces endorphin when you exercise and this makes you feel good. Doing sports or practicing yoga will also help. Doing yoga will relax your body and calm your mind.

3. Talk it out

According to studies, talking to your friend just once a week can decrease the stress levels and makes you happy. If you have just joined a new school or college and do not have a friend, talk to the counselor or the therapist offered by the school/college. Talk to them about the problems you face or whenever you feel like talking to someone. This will help in reducing the stress.

4. Meditate

It may seem boring but it will help to calm your mind. You will not need anything to do meditation. Just sit quietly for five to ten minutes daily focusing on your breathing. This technique will relax you and reduce stress levels.

5. Take rest

Give your body and mind some rest. While it is important to study hard to succeed, your body needs rest to work efficiently the next day. So, have a good night’s sleep and take breaks frequently during your study time. Go to bed if you are sleepy and get sufficient sleep. Set a timetable for your studies and your free time. This will help you to be more relaxed.