When I think about my college years, I have great memories but I also remember the constant state of stress I was in. It was difficult to juggle responsibilities and manage pressure from external sources as well as the sometimes unattainable standards I set for myself. Hearing from the current college students in my life, both clients and family members, it seems like the stress for students today is ever more present. It’s a unique period of pseudo-adulthood with increased independence and a unique set of stressors. The plight of college students can feel isolating, so my goal is to normalize these struggles and offer suggestions on stress management and addressing the unique challenges of these years.
Majors Areas of Concern
Academic stress
I remember the never-ending to-do list of homework consisting of hundreds of pages of reading, exams, papers, etc.… Students are trying to maintain good grades for multiple classes, some of which may be core requirements that they have no interest in. Plus picking a major can be stressful and may feel definitive or limiting.
Quick tip: Do your best, but remember that your transcript won’t be haunting you forever. That B (or even C) in a class is unlikely to be a make-or-break factor in landing a job!
Career pressure
I worked in the Career Services Office of my university and saw firsthand the pressure students felt to land the perfect internships, many going through the application & interview processes almost every semester, feeling the need to pack their resumes. It also requires incredible time management to juggle internships or jobs with schoolwork. Then comes the overwhelming job hunt during senior year, while trying to keep up with other responsibilities and celebrate.
Quick tip: Nothing against LinkedIn, but if everyone’s “I’m thrilled to announce…” and “Cannot wait to join XYZ company!” posts feel overwhelming, take a break from those platforms! The comparison game adds enormous pressure to an already stressful process.
Social stress
From orientation week onward, navigating the social scene on campus can be difficult and trying to find your people can be an ongoing struggle. My freshman year friend group was not the group I stuck with the remaining years; it can feel strange for friendship dynamics to shift, but it’s okay for your needs in friendships to change and evolve with you.
Quick tip: Join clubs & extracurriculars that interest you- it’s the quickest way to find people with similar interests and values!
Financial pressure
College brings more financial independence. Unfortunately, budgeting is a skill that usually isn’t taught and the lack of preparedness can make college a time of financial stress & strain.
Quick tip: Try to combat the shame that can come with being “bad with money” (most of us were not provided with adequate financial education!) and seek out personal finance resources to give yourself a foundation, plus take advantage of any free food or goodies available on campus!
Mental health challenges
There is a mental health crisis among college students, with rising rates of anxiety and depression. Based on all of the above, it’s no wonder! The competitiveness and “busyness Olympics” pushes students to their limits. Social media has been shown to contribute as well, leading to comparison, isolation, and negative body image.
Quick Tip: Back to basics- eat healthy foods, exercise, and prioritize sleep (I know those all-nighters are tempting & sometimes necessary but try to avoid them).
State of the world
The news may feel bleak right now, especially in this highly polarized environment coming off the election. Gen Z tends to be more socially & politically engaged, which takes a mental toll.
Quick tip: Pick one realistic action you can take- it’s hard to fit activism/advocacy into a packed schedule but commit to one thing. Consistent action helps us fight that despair.
Tools & Tips for Juggling All of the Above
Focus on what is within your control. It can feel paralyzing to consider the numerous factors out of your control, but focusing on things within your control can pull you out of that fight-or-flight mode. Maybe that’s practicing your interview skills when the job search feels overwhelming or committing to composting regularly if climate anxiety is taking hold. We do have agency and centering on things within our control can allow us to reclaim it.
Get familiar with your thinking patterns. Most of us have entertained some cognitive distortions, unhelpful or irrational thinking patterns, at one time or another. Some common ones include catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, and all-or-nothing thinking. Reflect on your patterns and recognize which thinking traps you fall into in moments of stress and try to actively challenge those.
Lean on your support systems. Talk openly with fellow students, family members, mentors and friends about the struggles you’re facing. Having someone you can speak candidly with is essential, especially if they can relate and empathize.
Use resources available to you. Many offices such as Financial Aid/ Fellowship Offices, Career Services, Writing Centers, and Student Life Offices offer access to resources. And if these resources are not meeting your needs or if you need additional support, advocate for yourself and find pockets within the school community that can help.
Join activities just for fun. That intramural volleyball team or pottery class may have nothing to do with your career goals but that’s ok! Give yourself permission to do activities that feel fulfilling and joyful, even if you can’t add it to your resume.
Assess your social media usage. Consider your usage across social media sites (including LinkedIn!) and determine if time spent scrolling is contributing positively or negatively to your life. Make intentional choices about your usage, like unfollowing certain accounts or setting time limits.
Schedule time to rest. As we’ve established, college students have so much on their plates that time to unwind and relax needs to be added to the schedule and intentionally carved out.
Seek mental health services. A therapist can help with managing general stress, mental health conditions, and offering skills and tools for navigating the college years and beyond.