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