Why Academic Pressure Is Impacting College Students’ Mental Health—and What to Do About It

College is supposed to be the best four years of your life. Leaving home and living on your own, making new friends, exploring new clubs and getting involved on campus… What more could you dream of? Oh right. We forgot the 6 different assignments due at the end of the week. If you ever feel like you are drowning in college papers, presentations and struggling to balance it all, you are not alone. College pressure is hitting students harder than ever before. The mental health crisis is inundating college campuses all over the world and students over-all wellbeing is extremely deteriorating. Therapists, college counselors and mental health outpatients are seeing more students in their offices than previous years combined . So what does this really all mean? Why are students feeling this immense amount of stress and what can we do about it? Let’s break it down. 

Why is there so much academic pressure for students? 

1. Competition is heated (seriously, it’s basically on fire). Before college, the most intense competition was getting into the best school with the most prestigious reputation. You would think after getting into the school all would settle down right? Wrong. Most post graduate school job markets are cutthroat and have limited hiring. Companies are looking for things that set candidates apart. The stress of the competition is detrimental to students’ self-esteem and ultimately, it hinders performance.
2. Money pressures are real. Tuition prices keep rising each year added with the cost of living on campus and other external expenses can cause students anxiety to increase. When you are trying to balance a part time job to lessen the high costs, it can become extremely overwhelming. 
3. Students are balancing more than they can handle. Clubs, sports, internships, research assistants, volunteering. Students are adding more things onto their plate than there is room for. Leading to an overflow of stress all at once. With the constant competition of getting a job right after graduation mixed with wanting to enjoy and take advantage of all the college has to offer makes for a bad recipe of disaster. 

How is this affecting Mental Health?

In 2021, The American Psychological Association  reported that out of 373 college campuses more than 60% of students reported mental health issues. That number has skyrocketed over the last 4 years. Students are reporting feeling the symptoms somatically noting physical panic attacks, intense chest pains and shortened breath, increased susceptibility to sickness, and loss of appetite. Often students are running on caffeine and minimal food especially during high stress periods like midterm and final weeks.  This often leads students to experience “burn out”; aka asking the ultimate question “Is this degree really worth it?”

What can we do about it?

1. Make mental health on college campuses more accessible: Students should be able to access mental health clinics 24/7 without a wait. Making appointments easier to book with the least amount of steps to get your foot in front of a counselor is the best way to go and will lead to the highest retention rate. If your college campus offers limited resources, be sure to check out outside counseling for college students.
2. Treat yourself with kindness: Sleep, eat, hydrate, rest, do something you love. You only get one body. Your physical, emotional, and mental well being are more important than that paper due at the end of the week. Treat yourself with the love it deserves; you come first.
3. Know your boundaries: Learn when something is going to overflow your plate. Say no when necessary. Know that you do not need to join every club, get a 100% on every assignment or always be going the extra mile. You are enough.  

Ultimately, academic pressure has been around for years and is only increasing. We can change how we respond to it and cope. Students are constantly trying to flourish and grow. We must acclimate ourselves to be more aware, supportive, and understanding to the pressures around mental health. The younger generation is our generation to come; we must do everything we can to protect them.  

THERAPY SERVICES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WE OFFER IN MANHATTAN & BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally will enhance your ability to cope with academic demands and personal challenges. While college has so much to offer, it can feel overwhelming and exhausting, often leading to feelings of burnout.  Setting aside time for you, including finding time to rest and rejuvenate is essential in adjusting to this transition.

At Manhattan Wellness, we understand that the transition to college is an exciting time filled with so much opportunity. But, we also know that with change comes a lot of uncertainty, which can be intimidating and stressful. We are here to support you in finding your path and feeling confident as you take on this new chapter. Follow these steps:

1. Submit a Contact Form or Email Us at hello@manhattanwellness.org
2. Learn More About Our Team of Therapists for College Students and Our Therapy Specialists
3. Get Support As You Find Your Path in College!

SPECIFIC THERAPY SERVICE WE OFFER IN MANHATTAN & ONLINE THROUGHOUT NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND FLORIDA 

We understand that navigating college in Manhattan can come with many emotions and feelings behind it. This is why our Manhattan therapists offer a range of counseling services. The mental health services we offer are Depression Therapy, Anxiety Therapy, Individual Therapy, Therapy for Self-Esteem and more.

Are you feeling like you’re not living the life you want and need to make changes? Let’s talk about it.