(Originally written Apr. 18 2023)
A recent study shows that exams are the top sources of stress for 31% of U.S. students, and other school-related factors are the top sources of stress for 36%.
In an article published on Research.com last March, Dr. Imed Bouchrika reported that stress levels are on the rise in college students. His article, “50 Current Student Stress Statistics: 2023 Data, Analysis & Predictions,” stated that while stress is high for students of all ages, college students are faced with a plethora of new challenges to tackle.
“Students not only have to deal with a bigger academic workload, but they are expected to function socially, plan financially, and deal with living away from home for the first time,” Dr. Bouchrika stated. “Consequently, an American College Health Association (2015) survey found that stress has become the most serious academic impediment among students at over a hundred colleges and universities across the U.S.”
However, with all of these different factors, academic obligations such as exams remain the most common stressors for students.
“Finals and midterms accounted for the top source of stress for 31% of U.S. students,” Dr. Bouchrika stated. “Class and workload were third at 23%. Homework placed fourth at 13%.”
While college students complaining about work may seem like just part of the experience, the effects of it are very real.
“Finals season has been genuinely awful this semester,” Silsbee junior Elianna Auer said. “With my combination of higher level classes and my job, it’s been busy.”
Despite the resources provided on campus such as counseling, some students still find themselves overwhelmed and unable to cope with the workload.
“Honestly, I’m coping with the stress by not coping,” Auer said. “When I’m not doing schoolwork, I scroll on TikTok so I don’t stop to think about the rest of it.”
Others find themselves overextending themselves to finish their schoolwork at the risk of their own health.
“I largely ignore it when it comes to mind, or I directly dive into fixing it,” Lumberton junior Jesse Adkins said. “So it’s some weird mix of escapism and obsession, depending on when and where the stress feels intense.”
This stress may lead some students to feel hopeless, but other students have suggestions for what professors can do to help.
“Grading quickly,” Adkins said when asked how professors could help with finals season stress. “I also appreciate the Blackboard reminders some professors send out the week of a test, just restating when the test is.”
Increased communication seems the most effective option in reducing stress in students and maximizing performance.
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