Why Are College Students Reporting Record High Levels of Stress?

This article found in Time Magazine addresses a serious issue that most Freshmen deal with on a daily basis; stress. Over the years, the college environment has changed, expecting more out of the students who already face extremely hectic lives. Far fewer freshmen now consider themselves in the top mentally stable percentage of their class, and it's affecting their lives and their work.

It's easy to see why your average college freshman would be stressed. The rising cost of college along with the scarcity of work leaves many relying on student loans to go to school. Without a job though, this leaves many college students in a huge amount of debt. The pressure to succeed in school is higher than ever now, and coupling that with athletics, work, and social lives certainly doesn't help the situation. This is something college students have been dealing with for years though. Why is it then that stress levels are so high now?

It is suggested that part of this is due to how we view the people around us. Society pressures us to put on our best face for everyone else, and in an environment where we are constantly comparing ourselves to those around us, it can really scar and damage some of us emotionally and mentally, seeing all those around us who just seem "better".

So, what's to be done about it? We as freshmen receive lecture after lecture about time management, how to keep ourselves from being stressed. But we all know that alone won't fix anything. The article suggests that showing our emotions openly is the answer. Is it? I think that the reason that we are in this situation in the first place is because it's become less socially acceptable to show what is troubling you openly.