In a non-pandemic world, college students face five main types of stress. While these stressors are hard enough, the continuation of COVID-19 and its associated regulations adds to their stress. If you feel under pressure because of the demands and uncertainty of college life, you’re not alone.

COVID-19

Saying the COVID-19 pandemic has a global effect is an understatement. Some colleges discontinued on-campus activities and classes. Online courses replaced face-to-face courses.  In many cases, college seniors and graduate students participated in virtual commencement ceremonies. The atmosphere and vibe of college life shifted from one of community to one of isolation.

College students who relied on the interaction between peers and professors were left to figure out how to cope with mental and physical health issues. Maybe you benefited from personal coaching or sitting down with your professor to discuss or go over your thoughts, feelings, or theories. Sometimes, being a part of a group and having individual conversations or demonstrations aided students in understanding lessons.

Some students thrived and grew to be independent during COVID-19 restrictions. Unfortunately, many others felt bored, helpless, or frustrated.

Students who began college during COVID-19 closures didn’t have the chance to be a freshman. Now that colleges are open and students are back, many colleges are trying to help both first-year students and sophomores adjust to college. Many students are coping with being away from home and friends while living on their own for the first time.

Academic Responsibilities

The work that each professor expects from their students can lead to feeling overwhelmed. In addition, the stress of studying, writing papers, prepping for exams, and learning different teaching styles are stressors. Stress levels vary, but over time they can cause harm to a person’s well-being. Heightened stress levels can cause an individual to feel unenergetic, lose their appetite, and experience headaches or stomach problems when faced with a heavy workload. These behaviors reflect your anxiety, depression, or stress.

Midterms or finals can increase your physical or psychological issues. To help prevent physical or mental harm, you can join student groups that discuss the difficulties of class workloads or talk with a therapist.

Relationships

The years you spend in college will include several relationships. Over the years, you will start and end relationships for assorted reasons. When in a relationship, you deal with arguments, seeing a person too much or too little, and handling long-distance relationships.

In addition to that, there is the stress of not having a relationship. Maybe you don’t care if you are dating someone. However, if you feel pressure when you’re out with friends or going to parties to find someone, you may rush into a relationship, or you may not find a person at all. Not having someone is difficult if everyone around you is in a relationship.

Roommates

You may not be able to choose your roommate, especially if you’re a freshman or a transfer student. Living with someone you don’t know is difficult. Their values, beliefs, habits, and schedules may not mirror yours. The stress of living and sleeping in the same space as someone you dislike can affect your mental health. For example, if you are in recovery and paired with a drinker, your stress level can increase. If you like things organized and your roommate throws things everywhere, you may experience frustration. Living with someone is challenging, even in the best situation.

Time Management

The life of a college student includes social, work, and academic responsibilities. You may find yourself torn between athletic events, parties, and social activities. If you also have a job, you can feel like you don’t have enough time and lose sleep worrying about fitting everything into your schedule. Some students turn to substances to help alleviate feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression. Others may look at substances as ways to increase their energy so they can fit everything into their schedule.

Finances

The cost of college increases almost every year. Many students pay for college on their own because their parents don’t have the means to assist them. Even if your parents pay your tuition, there’s still the cost of books, food, and social activities. Students who rely on scholarships may feel excessive pressure to keep a high GPA to obtain or maintain a grant or scholarship.

Credit cards add to financial woes. The ease of getting a credit card while you are in college is surprising. College students are facing college loans and credit card debt, as well as the previously mentioned stressors. Considering everything college students are dealing with, it’s easy to understand why you might feel stressed or depressed.

Being away from home creates the need to adjust to new living situations. When you leave for college, you face academic, financial, relationship, and health stressors. Maybe you can adjust easily, but you may find yourself struggling with the demand of being a college student. Find a support system before you turn to substances. There are other ways to alleviate anxiety, stress, depression and to find time in your schedule for all of your obligations. You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed with no one to turn to for help.  The Kimberly Center guides college students to a healthier lifestyle. We have outpatient, continuing care, and sober living programs so you can remain in school and get the help you deserve. Our center is located close to Florida SouthWestern State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, and other educational facilities in Lee County. We welcome any questions you have about our substance and mental health programs. Call (855) 452-3683.