Student stress (2024)

Universitycan be astressful experience, as well as being fun and exciting. You may feel stressed about starting university, exams, coursework deadlines, living with people you do not know, or thinking about the future.

Stress is a natural feeling, designed to help you cope in challenging situations. In small amounts it can begood, because it pushes you to work hard and do your best, such as during exams.

But if you're feeling very stressed or feel you cannot manage stress, it can lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. It can also affect your academic performance.

Leaving home to start your studies can involve some stressful changes. These might include moving to a new area, meeting new people andmanagingon a tight budget.

Signs you might bestressed

There are lots of possible signs of stress.

Stress can make you feel:

  • irritable
  • anxious
  • like you cannot enjoy yourself
  • worried a lot of the time

You may start to:

  • have sleep problems (insomnia)
  • find it hard to concentrate
  • bite your nails, pick your skin or grind your teeth
  • snap at people
  • feel short of breath or breathe very fast

Things that can help with stress

Short periods of stress are normal and can often be resolved by something as simple as completing a taskwhich cuts down your workload,or by talking to others and taking time to relax.

It might also help to:

  • Work out what it isthat'smaking you feel stressed. For example, is it exams,money or relationship problems? See if you can change your circ*mstances to ease the pressure you're under.
  • Try tohave ahealthy lifestyle. Eat well, get enough sleep, be physically active, cut down on alcohol, and take time to relax as well as working and studying.
  • Read about the 5 steps to mental wellbeing.
  • Avoid drugs, including lots of caffeine – this can have a negative impact on your stress levels and wellbeing.
  • Try not to worry about the future or compare yourself with others.
  • Try relaxation and breathing exercises.
  • Try to plan your time to help you keep track of your work. Break it down into manageable chunks so you can keep up with deadlines.
  • Try talking to a friend, tutor or someone in your family about your stress.
  • Read about tips on preparing for exams

More information

When to get help for stress

You may want to consider getting help for stress if:

  • you're struggling to cope with stress
  • things you're trying yourself are not helping
  • stress is affecting your life or university work

You could try speaking to friends, family or your university tutor. A GP is also a good place to start and they can help you with advice or access to treatments if you need them.

Find out more about counselling for student mental health problems.

Video: stress

In this video, a GP describes what stress is, the physical and mental effects it can have and when to seek help.

Media last reviewed: 4 October 2021
Media review due: 4 October 2024

Student stress (2024)

FAQs

What are the responses to stress in students? ›

Refrain from making judgments about how much stress the student “should” be able to handle. Students of any age can show the responses to excessive stress. May complain of stomach aches or headaches, experience incontinence, become clingier, or start habits like hair twirling or thumb-sucking.

What is the main cause of stress in school? ›

Factors such as homework, social life, perceived parental pressure, university applications, and never-ending workloads all generate stress. Although research shows that a moderate amount of stress can be beneficial and act as a motivator for students to do well, too much stress can impact their overall well-being.

Can you give 5 common examples of stress to students? ›

Other stressors include being homesick, academic or personal competition, personal pressure to do well, social anxieties, and heavy workloads. Students also feel stress when they get too little sleep, a poor diet and even from having too much downtime.

What are 5 examples of stress responses? ›

Common Stress Reactions A Self-Assessment
  • Change in activity levels.
  • Decreased efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Difficulty communicating.
  • Increased sense of humor/gallows humor.
  • Irritability, outbursts of anger, frequent arguments.
  • Inability to rest, relax, or let down.
  • Change in eating habits.
  • Change in sleep patterns.

What are the 4 responses to stress? ›

Fawn is your body's stress response to try to please someone to avoid conflict. The goal of the fight, flight, freeze, and fawn response is to decrease, end, or evade danger and return to a calm, relaxed state.

How do you handle stress sample answer for students? ›

Sample interview answers for dealing with stress

I prioritize what is truly most important and focus on getting that done and done well. 2. I do not respond to stress but to the situation. I analyze the situation and take action that will avoid negative stress.

What is an example of good stress for students? ›

Good stress happens when we confront a challenge we believe we can manage or control. Here's an example: A child is coasting down a hill on a bike with just one hand on the handlebars. When she sees a pothole up ahead, she feels stress and instinctively puts her other hand on the bars.

How to handle academic stress? ›

Here are eight tips to help you cope with academic stress successfully.
  1. Use Campus Resources. ...
  2. Stay Present. ...
  3. Learn New Skills Through Practice. ...
  4. Use Positive Self-Talk. ...
  5. Take Responsibility For Mistakes. ...
  6. Forgive Yourself. ...
  7. Focus On What You Can Control. ...
  8. Practice Good Self-Care.

How does daily stress affect students? ›

But research shows that feeling overwhelming school-related stress actually reduces your motivation to do the work, impacts your overall academic achievement, and increases your odds of dropping out. Stress can also cause health problems such as depression, poor sleep, substance abuse, and anxiety.

How to cope with school stress? ›

Prioritize self-care activities such as getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical exercise. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being can boost your resilience and ability to cope with stress.

How to handle stressful situations? ›

Here are some steps you can take to cope:
  1. Understand the Situation. Take some time to think about what you're facing. ...
  2. Notice and Name Your Feelings. Accept the way you feel. ...
  3. Commit to a Positive (or Fact-Based) Attitude. ...
  4. Don't Dwell on the Negative. ...
  5. Take Action.

Why does school stress me out? ›

Packed schedules, constant tests, and external pressures cause stress. 45% of high school students report feel stressed all of the time, and 48% of college students report experiencing moderate to severe stress. In short: your feelings are totally normal. It can feel so challenging, but you're not alone.

What is the biggest source of stress for students? ›

5 Causes of Student Stress
  • Packed schedules. The main cause for stressed out students is the heavy coursework they are taking on. ...
  • Not enough sleep. Teens are glued to their smartphones, which can result in sleep deprivation. ...
  • Poor organization habits. ...
  • Not enough downtime. ...
  • Lack of support.

How stressed are students nowadays? ›

Four in 10 Students “Frequently” Experience Emotional Stress

The 2022 study also asked students for the first time how often they experience emotional stress in their program. Nearly nine in 10 students say they “frequently” (40%) or “occasionally” (46%) experience emotional stress.

How do you respond to academic stress? ›

Here are eight tips to help you cope with academic stress successfully.
  1. Use Campus Resources. ...
  2. Stay Present. ...
  3. Learn New Skills Through Practice. ...
  4. Use Positive Self-Talk. ...
  5. Take Responsibility For Mistakes. ...
  6. Forgive Yourself. ...
  7. Focus On What You Can Control. ...
  8. Practice Good Self-Care.

What are the coping mechanisms for students with stress? ›

Eat well, get enough sleep, be physically active, cut down on alcohol, and take time to relax as well as working and studying. Read about the 5 steps to mental wellbeing. Avoid drugs, including lots of caffeine – this can have a negative impact on your stress levels and wellbeing.

How do you respond to stress? ›

MOVE YOUR BODY: Regular aerobic exercise, like running, activates a response that helps your body cope with emotional stress. exercises can help you decrease blood pressure and improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

How do children respond to stress? ›

Stress leads to stronger feelings of anger and irritability. Your children may have emotional outbursts that are inconsistent with their previous behavior or the current situation. Worries and fears seem to come out during bedtime.

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