Emily Perales
English 1102+ Section 298 – Professor, Weaver email address: eperales2@student.gsu.edu
Picture of a young businesswoman using a labtop, looking stressed.
Introduction:
Anxiety is one of the most common issues in college, especially for first-year students. College can be a challenging and stressful experience both personally and academically, which is why it is so important to address what is causing anxiety. Understanding what causes first year college students to suffer from anxiety is important because Mental Health is a topic that deserves more discussion to find more solutions. By addressing this problem, first-year students will have a more positive college experience, and hopefully more colleges will start discussing what causes anxiety and how to handle it.
Discussion:
In this article, “Work-life balance as a predictor of college student anxiety and depression,” by Justin M. Sprung and Anna Rogers, they talk about how anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues among first-year students. Many colleges have reported a rise in the number of students seeking mental health services. For example, they state that “College represents a highly demanding experience for students both personally and academically.” (Justin M. Sprung, 2021). Most students are under a lot of pressure to get good grades, but they also have to keep up with personal things outside of school, such as work and family obligations.
Justin M. Sprung and Anna Rogers also talk about how college is the time where students make their transition from adolescence to adulthood. For example, the authors state that “Between ages 18-25, individuals learn to become self-sufficient and make independent decisions regarding their life and their future.”(Justin M. Sprung and Anna Rogers, 2021).In other words, Students are not only working towards a degree, they are also searching for their identity.
Anxiety is most common among young adults. An article titled, “Third of First Year University Students Have Moderate to Severe Depression/Anxiety.” by Nleeson talks about how Transitioning to university life occurs at the same time as the peak period for mental illnesses, which begins in young adulthood. As part of this article, a researcher named Drew conducted a survey asking students what their main reasons are for getting anxiety. The article stated that “Respondents potentially influential factors were parental education; early life adversity, such as divorce and sexual/physical/emotional abuse; and lifetime occurrence of mood and anxiety disorders.” ( Nleeson, 2021). Having family issues like parents’ divorces can distract a student in college.
Students were also asked what helps them not to be anxious as much. The researcher Drew, found that, “socializing and getting involved in student clubs, societies, and sports teams is linked to lower odds of developing significant symptoms as well as boosting the recovery of those who already have symptoms of depression or anxiety.” (Drew, 2021). This suggests that students who are more involved in their college or university life, such as joining clubs, will have less anxiety. This is because they have a better time adjusting to socializing.
In this article, “Family Members’ Expectations for Involvement with Their First-Year College Students.” by Phyllis Zajack, it talks about how family has an impact on first- year college students. It is well known that family members are being more involved with their adolescents on college campuses. In this study, family members were asked to describe their expectations for involvement with their first-year college students. According to the study, “Mothers and fathers expect to have less influence over their students in college than in high school.” (Phyllis Zajack, 2004). This is because they are encouraging their teenager’s independence as they grow older.
First-year college students are used to having their parents help them out. College is different because students do not have their parents with them, so they must consult other people for guidance and help. Asking for help can cause anxiety because first-year students are anxious individuals who are afraid of the unknown. There are ways First-year college students can reduce anxiety. The article, “Anxiety in college students”, by North Central college, talks about what causes anxiety. For example, they state that, “College frequently causes overwhelming anxiety because it’s so new and different from any life experience before it, and students’ minds are overloaded.” (North Central College, 2020). Not knowing what will happen will make students’ minds fill in the gaps by overthinking which will cause students to get overwhelmed and stressed.
North Central College also talks about some helpful ways college students can reduce anxiety. For example, North Central College states that it’s important to “Take care of your physical health. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, drinking water, exercising, relaxing, and attending medical and dental appointments.” (North Central College website). Taking care of physical health is important because that can make you feel good about yourself. North Central College also states that students should: “Take technology breaks. Develop awareness of how technology use makes you feel, from comparing yourself to others on social media to playing games to avoid responsibilities.” (North Central College website, 2020). Instead of comparing themselves with other people online, students should disconnect from technology and focus on getting their work done.
In conclusion, there are many reasons why first-year college students have anxiety and there are many ways to reduce it. For example, one of those reasons is that students must deal with both their academic and personal life. Students’ academic and personal life are both as important, so they have to find a way to balance both. College is a time where students must discover what they want to do in the future by discovering who they are. North Central College website stated that, “anxious people often are afraid of the unknown.” (North Central College- Website 2020). It is common for first-year college students to feel anxious because this is their first time in a place where they don’t know how things work.
However, there are several ways for first-year college students to reduce anxiety. A great way students can reduce anxiety is to practice positive affirmations daily. For example, North central college stated that, “One way to combat negative thinking is by practicing affirmations such as “I can handle this” or “I am good enough.” (North Central College- Website). It is important for students to know they are capable of doing anything they set their minds to. Students often experience overwhelming anxiety in college because the experience is so new and different from previous life experiences. Keeping a student’s mind in a state where it is always working to keep them protected is something they should be thankful for. So, students can spend more time anticipating life’s best moments.
Citations:
Justin M. Sprung & Anna Rogers (2021) “Work-life balance as a predictor of college student anxiety and depression”, Journal of American College Health, Gsu library Database
https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1706540
Nleeson. “Third of First Year University Students Have Moderate to Severe Depression/Anxiety.” BMJ Open, 1 Dec. 2021,
Phyllis Zajack “Family Members’ Expectations for Involvement with Their First-Year College Students.” Psychology Database, 2004. EBSCO, Gsu Library Database
www.proquest.com/psychology/docview/305140319/39311A92B38046E1PQ/12?accountid=11226.
Jacob Imm, “Anxiety in College Students.” North Central College website, 4 Dec. 2020,
www.northcentralcollege.edu/news/2020/12/04/anxiety-college-students.