Are College Kids Too Stressed to Succeed?

Are College Kids Too Stressed to Succeed?

The most stressful part of college used to be picking the right party to attend on weekends or finding a job when you graduate, but students today say they are worried more often (and about more) than ever before. A new study titled, “The American Freshman: National Norms Fall 2010” surveyed 200,000 college students and found that young people think less of themselves now than at any point in history.

Among the contributing factors according to a New York Times report about the study are the economy, the high depression levels in students, anxiety and the fact that students are more reliant on medication. According to the study:

Only 51.9 percent of students reported that their emotional health was in the "highest 10 percent" or "above average," a drop of 3.4 percentage points from 2009 and a significant decline from the 63.6 percent who placed themselves in those categories when self-ratings of emotional health were first measured in 1985, according to the study.

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Gender Difference

Female students were far less likely to report high levels of emotional health - only 45.9%

Male students 45.9% 59.1 percent

A 13.2% gender difference. 

So how are Rhode Island’s students holding up? GoLocalProv asked four locals to weigh in with their thoughts on college life.

I’m Cramming More

LeeAnne Byrne, a graduate student at Rhode Island College, holds a leadership position within the Rhode Island Young Democrats and helped run Maria Cimini’s successful campaign for State Rep last fall.
But for even someone as accomplished as she is, Bryne, 24, says she’s feeling the pressure of balancing her school work with her personal life.
“I think the pressure of the tight job market has a considerable effect on college students, from freshman to graduate students,” she said. “I know I am cramming more and more into my week to improve my prospects after graduation - in addition to going to class full time, I intern 20 hours per week and have part time job. Plus, I am on the board of two organizations and volunteer with others. These opportunities to network are invaluable, but they make life hectic. I think that, as a social worker, I have more tools to manage stress than some other students might, but I still frequently wish I had more hours in the day.”

It’s Hard, Man

But JWU freshman Tyler Cataldo thinks there is a much simpler explanation to why college students, namely freshman, are thinking less of themselves than ever before. Cataldo said school can be difficult and when you’re working and attending school, it gives you less time to focus.
“I love being a student but it’s hard, man,” Cataldo said. “I’m trying to keep my scholarship and I’m practically killing myself to do it. I have to work to pay for expenses and still get grades. You be I’m stressed.”

Working And Going To School

Like Cataldo, Kelley Berkery has to work while she attends CCRI. Berkery works full time while she takes a couple of classes toward her Associate’s Degree. She said she enjoys school, but there are times when she can’t finish her school work because she is so tired from work.
“I’m exhausted everyday,” she said. “But I am focused on getting my degree and I do enjoy my job. I have to do both if I want to be successful so I’m not complaining too much. I just wish my professors would give me a break sometime.”