Student Stress and Coping

Younger students sometimes have emotional problems in their educational environment. The stress of taking exams and of meeting deadlines can cause difficulty for those not used to responsibility and intense work. On the other hand, older students with children or with experience in jobs or the military adapt to pressure and stress more easily. A student who is also the parent of three children, for example, knows that grades, exams, and reports are not the most important aspects of life. Older students are also less likely to be intimidated by instructors or professors.

When some American students find it difficult to cope and have excessive stress, they may seek counseling (usually with college counselors or psychologists). Many schools offer "peer counseling" in which students with experience actually advise other students. Younger students living away from home for the first time may not know how to handle their newly found freedom and responsibility, and may prefer to talk to someone close in age who has had similar problems. For many international students and new immigrants in the United States, counseling, whether by peers or older psychologists, is not culturally comfortable. (In many cultures, one does not talk to strangers about personal problems.) There are certain things that students can do on their own to cope with problems. In one university handbook, students are advised to try to manage stress by doing the following:

1. Exercise regularly.

2. Make certain you get enough sleep during stressful times.

3. Learn to relax your body.

4. Set priorities; think about one concern at a time.

5. Learn to accept what you cannot change.

6. Learn to say, "No" (i.e., do not let yourself be persuaded to do things you do not want to do).

7. Talk it out: share your stress with someone you trust.

8. Know your limits.

9. Take care of yourself.

10. Make time for fun.

11. Avoid self-medication with drugs and alcohol.

12. Develop a support network of friends.

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