Stressed For College Success? Seven Key Sources of Stress For Students By Elisabeth Kuhn

It's tough being a student. You're busy learning to live on your own, balancing the demands of friends and relationships and on top of that – you're expected to study! Learning how to balance these various demands is vital to your academic performance, so take the time to learn how to manage stress effectively. The following are some of the key sources of stress that students have identified in recent studies of students attending colleges and universities around the nation:

1. Time Management

Time management was frequently rated as the biggest stress factor for students involved in post secondary education. Many students just aren’t equipped with the skills it takes to manage their various responsibilities. If you're someone who spends too little time studying – or someone who's often distracted by extracurricular activities – look for programs on campus designed to teach you better time management skills.

2. Setting Priorities

Balancing all the various obligations that college life entails and setting good priorities is another source of stress identified by many of students involved in the studies. With all the clubs, activities and athletic events going on, it can be hard for many students to balance the things they want to do with the things they need to do – like studying and working part-time. Many students in the studies commented that they felt like they were always “on the run” between different activities.

3. Financial Stability

Worrying about money and financial stability was identified as another key source of stress for students. And it makes sense – college tuition bills are constantly increasing and extra expenses like books and materials add up quickly. Students with homes and families to support are most likely to feel the pinch, but even students with no financial obligations can find it difficult to balance all the monetary obligations without stress.

4. Family Expectations

Family – you can't live with them and you can't live without them. Many students are surprised to find that the stress from family expectations follows them, even after they leave the nest to attend college. Some students are only attending school to please individuals in their family, while others may be attending school to prepare for a career that their families aren’t pleased with. Either of these situations – as well as many others – can be stressful for students who are already dealing with heavy coursework, and financial and social responsibilities.

5. Personal relationships

Finding yourself wrapped up in a college romance can be exciting, but intimate relationships can take a toll on already stressed out college students. Many students interviewed in these studies expressed concerns over how difficult it is to maintain their academic performance while in a serious relationship. On the other hand, many students claimed that having a significant other that appreciated the hard work and dedication involved in going to school was a net positive – your success really depends on how committed you are to balancing these different responsibilities.

6. Campus Crime

Being away from home for the first time can be scary – so it's perfectly reasonable that campus crime would be another source of stress for students. Crime statistics can be especially daunting if your campus has recently experienced a series of attacks or burglaries. If you live in an unsafe neighborhood or attend a college with a poor safety record, take appropriate precautions like not walking alone at night and locking up your room when you leave. You may also want to consider renters insurance if break-ins are a problem in your area.

7. Future Uncertainty

Anyone who's attended college has heard the dreaded question at least one hundred times – 'So what are you going to do when you graduate?' The scary thing is, no one really knows what they're going to do, unless they're one of the lucky few with job offers lined up and waiting for them. If you're feeling anxiety over your future plans, take a deep breath and try to let go of some of your stress. Uncertainty is a part of life, so worry less and try to enjoy the ride.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=267551&ca=Education

Student Stress and Academic Performance: Seven Ways in Which Too Much Stress Can Affect Your Grades By Elisabeth Kuhn

You've probably been hearing the same mantra since elementary school - if you don't get good grades, you won't get into a good college, you won't get a good job and you'll end up living like a bum on the street...

All joking aside, your academic performance really does affect what fields you can go into and what type of job you can hold in the future. After all, you wouldn't expect a straight-D student to get into medical school - nor would you want them to. However, whether you're in high school, college, or graduate school, constantly dealing with stress can have a big impact on your overall academic success in any of the following ways:

1. Stress Affects Your Health

Stress suppresses your immune system, which causes increased susceptibility to bugs and viruses, as well as chronic health problems like headaches and upset stomach. It doesn't take a Harvard graduate to tell you that if you're sick, you won't be able to give 100% to your classes. You may not feel up to studying or you could suffer further from missing classes. If stress is causing physical symptoms, it's time to consult a professional therapist or stress management consultant.

2. Stress Affects Memory Retention

Students who experience large amounts of stress in their lives often have trouble with memory retention. When you're stressed, you're more likely to forget the facts and figures presented in class, and you'll be less likely to successfully recall this information on tests, labs and on real life applications. Obviously, this is a problem for anyone who wants to do well in college, so try to identify and remedy the causes of stress in your life if you find you're forgetting more than you retain from your classes.

3. Stress Causes Anxiety

Students who face a tremendous amount of stress may also suffer from anxiety - ranging from mild cases of worry to severe, can't-leave-the-house cases of nerves. If you're suffering from anxiety at any level, you'll find that you can't focus as well on your school work or on other aspects of student life like extra-curricular activities and personal relationships.

4. Stress Affects Your Judgment

Stress has a definite impact on student judgment. Some students will turn to illegal drugs, prescription medications or binge-drinking in order to escape from the affects of stress. However, turning to drugs and alcohol doesn't erase the source of your stress - it only adds more. Substance abuse is a serious problem, so if you find yourself pouring a glass or four of wine each night to help you wind down, it's time to seek professional guidance.

5. Stress Compromises Your Future Outlook

Stress can turn an ambitions, driven student into one who's nervous and unsure about the future. It's easy to feel overwhelmed when you have a test Monday, a paper due on Wednesday and a major lab on Friday - but don't let the little things affect your drive for success. If you find yourself thinking that there's no way you'll get everything done, try breaking large tasks down into smaller pieces and tackle them one bit at a time.

6. Stress Affects Your Self-Esteem

Students who feel overwhelmed by stress may experience feelings of guilt and hopelessness, causing their self-esteem to falter. If you've dropped the ball on your academic work, it's easy to feel like you'll never get back on track - but don't think like this! If you get too caught up in your recent stumbles, you'll lose track of all the positive strides you've made in your studies. Remind yourself of all the good things you've accomplished so far and find small, concrete ways to get back on the right path.

7. Stress Can Lead to Mental Health Problems

It's easy to let the competing academic and personal priorities of being a student get the better of you as a student, and it can become difficult to see outside all this stress. As a result, many students - particularly college-aged students - end up dealing with depression or thinking suicidal thoughts. If you're ever feeling that there's no way out of the stress you're under, seek proper care immediately - there are people who understand what you're going through that can help you work through the stress you're dealing with.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=268004&ca=Education