The college undergraduate have stress in different scale no matter how fun, learning can be stressful depending on the subject and the time frame. From high school to college, sitting in class to listen to the teacher or lecturer, trying to run some practicals in the laboratories, personal research, study time and more fill the categories of a student world. Stress or stress level is not physically exclusive, as students stress their brains and exercise their creative power in various school activities. As students advance from a lower study level (high school) to a higher study level (college), school activities become more intense, alongside the personal lives of these undergraduates.
The college undergraduate stress scale constitutes the stress measurements about different levels and various factors, according to the experiences and activities of students in college. The stress scale can be measured annually or after six months, however, you choose. Since college constitutes a lot of stressful life events that may be similar or distinct in the students, the researcher may get a pattern. Measuring from the last 12 or 24 months, the most stressful life event for college undergraduates may be dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
How has the coronavirus pandemic affected the average stress level of college undergraduates?
Before the pandemic, students only had to deal with the stress of going to various classes, probably sitting to listen to the lecturer, working on various projects, and reading for the examinations. Some also dealt with the stress of rape, depression, heartbreak, and other personal life experiences. But interaction was not restricted, as these students could speak to anybody (in person) about anything at any time.
After the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe, college undergraduates dealt with the stress of being bored out of their minds from staying at home, they also saw some of their loved ones getting sick from the virus. After some months, classes resumed online, limiting interaction between the students. So, college undergraduates lived with the global virus, chronic depression, difficulty in learning from having to do online classes, and many other setbacks.
How can an individual measure the college undergraduate stress scale?
A researcher can measure the college undergraduate stress scale based on different factors which are mostly psychological. These factors include psychosocial behavior, psychosocial emotion, biological changes, academic changes, and so on. One of the pillars of the college community is social relationships and interaction among students. College undergraduates form cliques, intimate relationships, student-teacher relationships, and other sorts of social interaction.
The college undergraduates’ stress scale can be measured based on how students respond to social relationships, academic changes, and biological shifts. These factors affect the psychological development of students and may increase their stress levels.
Factors that can affect the stress level of college undergraduates
Biological shifts
Biological shifts consist of natural conditions or events that occur during college. For instance, a change of routine to fit in a sports activity can increase the stress level, as it can disrupt the student’s time of rest. College undergraduates constantly find themselves dealing with new eating and sleeping patterns, little or no relaxation, negligence, bodily changes, and so on, which can increase their stress level.
Students also deal with various diseases due to eating unhealthy foods, bodily contact, drugs, addiction, etc. They take certain drugs to deal with the stress and end up fighting addiction instead.
Academic Changes
During the first 12 months in college, students deal with the stress of adjusting to a new academic schedule. It is no longer a small class where you can easily interact with the teacher, it is a class full of students trying to listen to a two-hour lecture. A student may have to walk a distance to attend the next lecture or laboratory practice. The projects and assignments are no longer the same, as they are either personal or in groups of four.
It takes days or weeks to work on projects because of the research and analysis the students have to do. Sometimes, these academic changes can be overwhelming, as it gives the students an increased sense of responsibility and would increase their stress level.
Social Interaction
One of the first things students try to do when they get to college is to form new cliques and social relationships. These social relationships can come in casual, platonic, or intimate forms and they can help reduce or increase stress levels. As students interact with one another, their minds react positively or negatively, even in the slightest bit.
Psychological analysis of social interaction allows the mind to assess before responding. For instance, if your college best friend is constantly getting into trouble or getting you into trouble, your mind reacts negatively which can increase your stress level till you get rid of that friend. If you are depressed, you can talk to your funny friend who can get you to relax (a positive reaction).
How can college undergraduates reduce stress?
As much as the college academic schedules can be overwhelming, it is important to take time out for yourself. There are many ways to reduce or fight stress while trying to obtain a good degree.
- Always take time to relax or rest, as it rejuvenates your mind and keeps it active. Students can take a walk on campus or try various forms of meditation and yoga.
- Try to join a study group. Studying with like-minded people boosts your confidence and helps you relax.
- Look out for college scholarships, skill acquisitions, internships, and anything that can help chip some financial burdens off your shoulders.
- Participate in college academic and recreational activities, especially when it involves doing something you love.
- Go to the gym or practice other forms of exercise to stay active.
- Avoid unhealthy relationships and make friends with people who can motivate you.
- Try to stay away from hard drugs.
Conclusion
About 10% – 30% of college undergraduates go through a high level of stress at some point, while trying to obtain their college degree. The increased level of stress can leave them making irrational decisions because they find it hard to concentrate. But, when a student engages in positive activities with optimistic people, the torch keeps burning and the student performs better in many areas.