Though a goal for most individuals and a requirement for many career paths, going to college comes with a lot of challenges. Many hear college and think about wild parties, sports, independence, freedom, and diversity, but that’s only part of the “college experience”. As many who enroll end up finding out is that it’s often very stressful to obtain a degree. Sure, there are millions of individuals who have navigated the complex waters of a higher education without too much cause for concern, others take a route that can have a negative impact on them forever.
For some students, the pressure leads to severe anxiety and substance use that quickly gets out of hand. When recreational habits turn into a dependency, a structured environment is often necessary to break the cycle. Programs like the New Found Life Residential Treatment Center help individuals regain control of their lives through professional support and therapy. This type of care allows young adults to focus entirely on their recovery away from campus triggers. Once they address these underlying issues, they can return to their studies with better coping mechanisms.
Common Stressors for College Students
You’re out of your parent’s house, living the campus life, meeting new people, having fun, and chasing your dreams of becoming whatever you want in life. What could possibly be wrong? Here is a brief look at some of the stressors for college students:
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Maintaining academic success – no one wants to go to college to fail. The idea is to get the education and training you need to pursue a career you’re passionate about. However, the academic workload is a lot larger and complex in nature. You don’t have the backing of your parents to stay on top of you and so the sole responsibility of getting good grades and obtaining a degree falls on you.
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Building new relationships – high school helps you to discover the basics of who you are, but it is during your years in college that you’ll learn on a deeper level. Building new relationships and fitting in amongst a diverse set of individuals while also balancing your academic success can also be stressful.
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Managing finances – likely the biggest issue that college students have is managing their finances. Higher education isn’t cheap and unless you can be approved for financial assistance or receive a scholarship, you’ll be on a pretty tight budget over the next few years. Many students struggle to get by sometimes unable to buy the supplies they need for school, housing, food, and other necessities.
Unhealthy Ways of Coping
As you can see, young adults who attend college deal with a lot to obtain a higher education. Though each of these stressors can be reduced, many turn to the wrong resources and behaviors as a means of coping with the stress.
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Relying on Drugs- More and more, students are turning to prescription medications as a way to cope with the stress of college. A demanding school schedule, for example, might convince a student to use prescription meds for ADHD to focus or sleeping pills to tire themselves out after a long day. This can quickly turn into an addiction that requires them to enter a sobriety program to get better.
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Gambling – A terrible behavior that can develop from the stress of going to college is gambling. In fact, there have been reports that there is an increase in online gambling among college students. Likely wanting to make a few extra bucks to handle their expenses or simply as a means of release, gambling too often can take away from their studies and make their finances worse.
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“Giving Up” – When you feel backed in a corner and you’re constantly worried about your grades, the bills, and fitting in with your peers, it can take a serious toll on your ability to push past the stressors. Some college students seemingly “give up” and fall into bad habits. Not turning in assignments on time, going to every social event or party, trying every drug, spending money recklessly, and a host of other things. It feels good at first to not care and give up, but in the end, it simply adds to the stress.
Better Ways to Deal with Student Stress
Learning to manage time and stress is a process that looks different for everyone. Some students find balance through exercise or hobbies, while others need professional guidance to overcome serious habits. For instance, individuals dealing with severe substance use often require dedicated care, such as the programs at an alcohol rehab in hawaii, to truly recover. Utilizing these resources can make a major difference in a student’s long-term health and academic success.
If you’ve been overwhelmed by the stress of being a college student you’re not alone. If you’re struggling with depression, substance abuse, or gambling problems you need to find a rehab and therapy center with free detox options. If you have not reached these extremes, but still need help coping with stress as a young adult, here is some advice:
