| It's tough being a student. You're busy | | | | surprised to find that the stress from family |
| learning to live on your own, balancing the | | | | expectations follows them, even after they |
| demands of friends and relationships and on | | | | leave the nest to attend college. Some |
| top of that - you're expected to study! | | | | students are only attending school to please |
| Learning how to balance these various demands | | | | individuals in their family, while others may |
| is vital to your academic performance, so | | | | be attending school to prepare for a career |
| take the time to learn how to manage stress | | | | that their families aren't pleased with. |
| effectively. The following are some of the | | | | Either of these situations - as well as many |
| key sources of stress that students have | | | | others - can be stressful for students who |
| identified in recent studies of students | | | | are already dealing with heavy coursework, |
| attending colleges and universities around | | | | and financial and social responsibilities. |
| the nation: | | | | |
| | | | 5. Personal relationships |
| 1. Time Management | | | | |
| | | | Finding yourself wrapped up in a college |
| Time management was frequently rated as the | | | | romance can be exciting, but intimate |
| biggest stress factor for students involved | | | | relationships can take a toll on already |
| in post secondary education. Many students | | | | stressed out college students. Many students |
| just aren't equipped with the skills it takes | | | | interviewed in these studies expressed |
| to manage their various responsibilities. If | | | | concerns over how difficult it is to maintain |
| you're someone who spends too little time | | | | their academic performance while in a serious |
| studying - or someone who's often distracted | | | | relationship. On the other hand, many |
| by extracurricular activities - look for | | | | students claimed that having a significant |
| programs on campus designed to teach you | | | | other that appreciated the hard work and |
| better time management skills. | | | | dedication involved in going to school was a |
| | | | net positive - your success really depends on |
| 2. Setting Priorities | | | | how committed you are to balancing these |
| | | | different responsibilities. |
| Balancing all the various obligations that | | | | |
| college life entails and setting good | | | | 6. Campus Crime |
| priorities is another source of stress | | | | |
| identified by many of students involved in | | | | Being away from home for the first time can |
| the studies. With all the clubs, activities | | | | be scary - so it's perfectly reasonable that |
| and athletic events going on, it can be hard | | | | campus crime would be another source of |
| for many students to balance the things they | | | | stress for students. Crime statistics can be |
| want to do with the things they need to do - | | | | especially daunting if your campus has |
| like studying and working part-time. Many | | | | recently experienced a series of attacks or |
| students in the studies commented that they | | | | burglaries. If you live in an unsafe |
| felt like they were always "on the run" | | | | neighborhood or attend a college with a poor |
| between different activities. | | | | safety record, take appropriate precautions |
| | | | like not walking alone at night and locking |
| 3. Financial Stability | | | | up your room when you leave. You may also |
| | | | want to consider renters insurance if |
| Worrying about money and financial stability | | | | break-ins are a problem in your area. |
| was identified as another key source of | | | | |
| stress for students. And it makes sense - | | | | 7. Future Uncertainty |
| college tuition bills are constantly | | | | |
| increasing and extra expenses like books and | | | | Anyone who's attended college has heard the |
| materials add up quickly. Students with | | | | dreaded question at least one hundred times - |
| homes and families to support are most likely | | | | "So what are you going to do when you |
| to feel the pinch, but even students with no | | | | graduate?" The scary thing is, no one really |
| financial obligations can find it difficult | | | | knows what they're going to do, unless |
| to balance all the monetary obligations | | | | they're one of the lucky few with job offers |
| without stress. | | | | lined up and waiting for them. If you're |
| | | | feeling anxiety over your future plans, take |
| 4. Family Expectations | | | | a deep breath and try to let go of some of |
| | | | your stress. Uncertainty is a part of life, |
| Family - you can't live with them and you | | | | so worry less and try to enjoy the ride. |
| can't live without them. Many students are | | | | |