In today’s fast-paced world, college students face unprecedented stressors, from academic pressures to global events. As educators and administrators, it’s crucial to provide support and resources that help students manage stress effectively.
This blog post reviews Inside Higher Ed’s 2024 Annual Student Voice survey results and offers some actionable tips for helping reduce student stress.
The recent survey on student stress levels makes it clear that students face unprecedented challenges that impact their academic performance and personal well-being.
Understanding the Stress Landscape
Recent insights from the Inside Higher Education survey reveal that nearly 43% of students report stress significantly impacting their ability to focus, learn, and perform well academically.1
This stress stems from balancing academics with personal, family, and financial responsibilities. Moreover, societal issues such as climate change and political turmoil add to the burden, creating a challenging environment for young adults.1
Of note, key stressors for students included1:
- Balancing Academics and Personal Responsibilities: A significant stressor for students, especially for adult learners and first-generation students.
- Financial Pressures: The rising cost of living and college expenses contribute to stress, with one-third of students citing financial concerns as a top stressor.
- Societal Issues: Global phenomena and societal movements weigh heavily on students’ minds, impacting their mental wellness.
5 ways to help reduce students’ stress
Here are some actionable strategies that could be adopted to help reduce student stress in and out of the classroom.
1. Rethink assessment strategies
Students overwhelmingly agreed that rethinking high-stakes exams could benefit their well-being.1 Consider implementing more frequent, smaller assessments to reduce pressure and provide ongoing feedback. This approach can help alleviate stress while enhancing learning outcomes.
2. Incorporate mental health days
Institutions like UNC have successfully integrated mental health days into their academic calendar, allowing students to pause and focus on their well-being. These breaks can help students recharge and return to their studies with renewed energy and focus.2
3. Promote flexible deadlines
Encourage faculty to offer flexibility with course deadlines. This can help students manage their workload more effectively and reduce stress associated with rigid timelines. Consider setting deadlines at practical times, such as midday, to promote better sleep habits.
4. Enhance campus wellness services
Invest in wellness facilities and services to support student mental health. Further, providing access to affordable meal plans and diverse food options can also positively impact students’ overall well-being.
5. Solicit student feedback
Engage students in conversations about their needs and preferences regarding campus services. This feedback can guide improvements in dining services, wellness programs, and more, ensuring that resources align with student expectations.
While each campus may encounter unique stressors, the focus should remain on implementing actionable and impactful methods to support student mental health.
Importance of communicating mental health resources
In addition to the changes above, students must be aware of mental health resources and how to access them. One way to do this is to heavily promote student health and student health center resources on your school’s website, in student emails, apps, and text notifications.
Further, work with your insurance provider to promote additional off-campus and virtual options. If you have a student health insurance plan from Wellfleet, our Student Behavioral Health Suite offers extensive resources to support student mental health:
- Access to nearly 100,000 Mental Health Providers: Students can connect with a wide network of professionals for personalized support.
- 24/7 Telehealth Services: Immediate access to mental health care anytime and anywhere.
- Digital cognitive behavioral therapy: Innovative tool to help students develop skills for managing their emotions and habits
Get started in helping reduce student stress
Colleges are uniquely positioned to foster environments that prioritize student mental health and wellness. By implementing these actionable tips, institutions can significantly impact student stress levels.
Encourage your students to explore the options available through your student health center or their health plan and empower them to take control of their mental wellness.
Learn more about Wellfleet’s Student Behavioral Health Suite and its nine distinct features designed to improve access to care, quality of care, and outcomes.
Resources:
1 Mowreader. A. (2024, August 8). Survey: Everything stresses students out – How colleges can help? Retrieved on September 3, 2024, from https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/health-wellness/2024/08/08/improving-college-campus-systems-student-mental.
2 University Communications, UNC-Chapel Hill. (2023, October 9). Carolina experts: World Mental Health Day
Retrieved on September 3, 2024, from https://uncnews.unc.edu/2023/10/09/carolina-experts-world-mental-health-day/#:~:text=Well%2Dbeing%20days%2C%20which%20give,the%20academic%20calendar%20in%202021.
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