It is 2016, and our society is all about getting ahead and being the most successful. And, in order to be successful? You have to start early. At least that is how society is making all college students feel. Right off the bat, we are expected to get a job that is in line with our degree and have our whole life figured out by the time we are 25. Us college students are more stressed out than ever before with the amount of pressure that society is putting on our shoulders.
From classes, to work, to social life, college students are balancing multiple different things at one time just trying to not have a mental breakdown at least once a day. The truth to this is quite scary. Studies have shown that Mental Health has become an issue across all college campuses. So, those “mental breakdowns” are likely not a joke, some being more severe than others. According to Boston University, the American College Health Association 2014 National College Health Assessment survey showed that 1in 6 college students had a case of anxiety that they were dealing with. Not only are college students being faced with anxiety, but the same survey showed that 21.8 percent of students reported that their anxiety negatively affected their academic performance. These numbers continue to rise as years go by.
The amount of pressure that society is putting on college students is leading to rising cases of anxiety across the nation. This anxiety and pressure can also lead to depression, which has also been a rising issue on college campuses. A 2013 survey shows that 33 percent of women and 27 percent of men in college reported feeling so depressed to the point that it was difficult for them to function, according to Psychology Today. These levels of stress and anxiety, even leading to depression, has been increasing since the 1980s.
So when is enough, enough?
We should not be pressured to have our whole lives figured out and put together during and immediately after we graduate from college. We are still learning, not only in academics, but about life and we should be able to enjoy the last few years of our youth.
How you can deal with stress and anxiety:
If you are feeling a little more stressed out than usual and it is starting to affect your daily performance, make sure that you are getting enough rest and taking a break from the work to have time for yourself. Lack of sleep can lead to more anxiety, which can lead to depression. SLEEP IS IMPORTANT. College students are expected to get well over eight hours of sleep every night.
Eating regularly can also be helpful. It is important to have a healthy, regular eating pattern, which most college students do not have. Both sleeping and eating are needs that keep us going and in order for our body to stay happy and in a good mindset, we need to treat it well.
If you or someone you know is experiencing more severe symptoms of anxiety or depression, do not hesitate to go to someone. We are all dealing with these high expectations together, and an empathetic hand is always nearby.