Students and Stress

Johnny Fisher III

English IV- 7th

Mrs. Jones
March 24, 2015

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Thesis: Based on global studies examining students stress level in the classroom and their final
outcome, it has been found that most college students are damaging both their brain and body
due to stress over meeting academic standards.

Outline

I.

Several studies have found that causes of stress are all centered on academics.
a. Students tend to stress over passing exams.

II.

There are many effects of stress, including long-term and short-term damage to the
a. Stress can affect someones facial and bodily appearance
b. Stress is linked to the several causes of death

III.

There are many ways to alleviate stress.

a. Laughing lowers stress hormones and strengthens the immune system by releasing
health-enhancing hormones.
b. Common ways to alleviate stress are exercising, sleeping, meditating and laughing.
c. People with a healthy and balanced diet are more likely to be less stressed than someone
with a poor diet.
d. Music can help lower stress levels

IV.

The signs to indicate if someone is stressing are very clear

a. There are many noticeable physical symptoms of stress.

b. There are many clear emotional symptoms of stress.
V.

It has been discovered that there are various types of stress, with various effects.

a. Chronic stress can affect the development growth in children by lowering the production
of growth hormone.
b. Acute stress is the most common form of stress. It comes from demands and pressure of
the recent past and anticipated demands and pressures of the near future.
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c. Episodic acute stress is common among people who suffer acute stress casually, whose
lives are constantly in chaos.

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Students and stress

A 2008 survey of college students, conducted by the Anxiety and Depression Association of
America (ADAA), found that 80 percent of college students frequently experience daily stress.
In addition to this survey, NBC News wrote an article based on their discoveries that 1 in 5
undergraduate students in America are constantly stressed. Though there are countless numbers
of articles, experiments and studies concerning the stress level of college students and their
effects, stress is presently one of the leading causes of death (Hartz-Seeley 52). There are many
factors that lead to stress among college students, which affects students mentally and physically.
Stress could result in depression, anxiety, substance abuse and eating disorders. Of the many
factors contributing to the detrimental state of stress, there is one factor which is distinctly the
leading cause. Due to many global studies examining students anxiety levels in the classroom
and their outcome, it has been found that college students are clearly creating damage to both
their brain and body due to stress over meeting academic standards.
Stress is caused by exams
Research shows that stress among college students has also been caused by their anxiety of
passing exams. Gemma P. Geslani also supports the belief that college students entering college
have misled expectations of college academics. Many students are unable to gain independency
in the classroom and outside of the classroom. For example, unlike high school, where teachers
continuously encourage students to study for an upcoming test, college professors are less caring
and nurturing. As a result, college students began to stress over their grades and passing their
exams because they are not use to the expected level of independency.

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In 2013, a study at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy was conducted to exams the common
stressors in college students lives. The study found that 95% of the male population enrolled in
the pharmacy programs listed their biggest stressor as exams. 82% of females list examinations
as their biggest stressor (Bland 1463). Along with this, a study in Germany found that an
increased level of perceived stress is common among college students during exam periods,
resulting in bodily pains. Based on these studies, it is evident that exams are clearly the biggest
stressor among college students across the globe.
Counter argument
Though it is believed that the biggest stress factor for college students is meeting academic
standards, college students are actually stressing due to financial issues. According to the
Medical University of Lublin, the biggest stress factor for students is paying for tuition. The
American Freshmen National Norm reported that in 2011, more than 51% of incoming freshman
already had student loans.40% of college students reported that they decided to attend a college
because it was cheaper, though it was not their first choice (Mental Health Professional 2012). It
was also noted that 73% of students were receiving grants and scholarships (Mental Health
Professional 2012). While it may sound like a great thing, having financial assistance like
scholarships and grants require the student to maintain a certain GPA. Therefore it is evident that
more than half of the freshmen in college were in school but had to focus on ways to pay those
student loans back and how to maintain the required grades to keep their scholarship. However,
based on studies and research conducted, it is evident that college students are stressing due to
their attempt to academically perform according to how others want them to do so.
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While some may believe that college students are mostly stressing over their grades, the
Medical University of Lublin revealed that the second biggest stress factor for college students is
maintaining their health. According to Walter Cannons Fight or Flight experiment, the energy
humans use to adapt to change can devastate our homeostatic system, resulting in a great deal of
stress. 74.3% of college students agreed that the most stressful life event was beginning college
(Bland 563). Students transitioning from high school to college are seriously affecting their
health. In addition, an article by Dr. Al Glass, president of the American College Health
Association, conducted a study in 2010 that revealed only 11% of students feels well rested.
Insufficient sleep can lead to stress and impact someones ability to cope with stress (Mental
Health Professional 2011). Though it is a common fact that physical activity can reduce stress
levels, The American College Health Associations National College Health Assessments reported
that 47.3% of males and 53.6% of females perform zero moderate physical activity in an average
week (ACHA, 2011). The American College Health Association also discovered that only 11%
of students feel well rested, which affects their health and increases their stress level. Despite this
evidence, students throughout the world have shown that their biggest stress factor is passing the
mid-semester and final exams.
The effects of stress
Stress can seriously tarnish someones appearance. Stress can decrease life expectancy and
increase biological aging such as: wrinkles and heart rate. A Stanford University study found that
college students had acne increase during exams, as well as an increase in their stress level.
Sebum is an oily substance that combines dead skin cells with bacteria to create pimples. An

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increase in acne is caused by high levels of sebum, which is generated during stressful moments
in life. As a result, it was determined that acne breakout was directly proportional with stress.
Another noticeable effect of stress is the impact on hair. Though many people believe stress can
cause hair to turn gray, several studies have proven this myth to be false. According to the
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, gray hair is caused by the lack of pigmentation when
producing new hair follicles. Research in Japan found that psycho emotional stress can halt the
growth of hair in mice; therefore, humans who experience oxidative stress will experience an
abnormal loss of hair growth.
Stress has been proven to be a cause for many diseases and accidents, both being able to result
in death. For example, the International Journal of Molecular Science found that oxidative stress
can increase the number of pathogenies in cardiovascular disease. Over 17 million people across
the globe die from cardiovascular disease every year (Di Pietro 725). Research at California State
University shows that if stress is not properly handled, it can lead to the following: chronic pain,
gastrointestinal disease, hypertension, headaches, depression, anxiety and weakening of the
immune system. With the immune system losing strength, it is harder for the body to fight
against various bacterium and pathogens and infections, increasing their chances of contracting
diseases.
Alleviate stress
Laughter is one of one of the most effective, natural ways to improve health. Laughing calms
the human body and reduces tension and stress within it. By simply laughing, someone decreases
their stress hormones and increase their immune cells, which are used to strengthen the bodies

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resistance to diseases. Laughter increases the blood flow in the heart, which can help fight
against heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. Not only is laughter beneficial to stress,
it causes an overall state of well-being and can temporary relieve pain.
When stressed, 66% of students at University of Georgia reported getting involved in some
type of extra-curricular activity. Physical activity is one of the most common ways to reduce
stress among young adults. By swimming, dancing, bicycling, running or playing sports,
someone can increase the production of endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are
neurotransmitters that allow the brain to feel good by applying pain reduction and reward. By
participating in physical activity, it is very easy for college students to shift their focus to the
activity theyre involved in instead of the stress they are facing.
One of the most common ways to reduce stress is by living a healthy lifestyle. To live a
healthy lifestyle, it is helpful for someone to eat balanced meals with grains, fruits and
vegetables, avoid caffeine, sugar, drugs and alcohol and sleep at least 7 hours each night. A study
at Western Washington University found that students who regularly exercised had lower stress
levels than those who sometimes exercised. Of the men in that study, 61% physically exercise
daily while 62% of females physically exercised every day. By college students being mindful of
what they eat and how often they exercise, they can help lower their stress level.
Another effective way to treat stress is by listening to music. Relaxing music can soothe
students mood and their emotional state. Music therapy is a treatment used to promote good
health within the body and the brain. Though stress can severely damage someones immune
system, it has been proven that music therapy can normalize an immune system and create a

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healthy clinical impact. The sound waves of music travel to the limbic system, where it then
reaches the auditory cortex. The limbic system consists of feelings of reward and pleasure. As a
result, music can severe as a reward to the body and brain and release endorphins to brighten
college students mood.
Signs of stress
Many changes take place when someone is stressed. Two of the most common symptoms are
physical symptoms and emotional symptoms. Emotional symptoms can consist of the following:
moodiness, agitation, overwhelming and depression. Physical symptoms include: aches, diarrhea,
dizziness, rapid heartbeat, weariness, muscles tension, breathing heavily, and dry mouth.
Symptoms of stress are very clear, however if these symptoms occur regularly without being
treat, it can lead to illnesses or even death.
Types of stress
Different major types of stress include chronic stress and acute stress. Chronic stress can
increase the risk of developing anxiety and depression if it is not treated properly. College
students with depression are more likely to develop heart disease and commit suicide than those
who arent depressed. Chronic stress can lead to weariness, constantly being in a bad mood,
sleeping problems and difficulty doing daily activities. Chronic stress can also lead to weight
gain. Relievers such as: meditating, exercising, sleeping properly, eating a healthy diet and
limiting obligations are all ways to help reduce chronic stress.
The most common type of stress among college students is acute stress. It develops based on
over-demanding needs on someone. This is evident when a student is trying to study for exams,

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maintain their health, their relationships and pay tuition. Acute stress can lead to depression,
muscle ache, stomach problems and problems with the blood flow. Though this type of stress is
controllable, this is still the most type of stress among college students across the world.
In conclusion, Charles H. Spurgeon once said Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its
sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths. College is affecting the stress level of students
because they are concerned about balancing their academics to make a high grade point average
and do well on exams. Though stress is one of the leading causes for diseases and death, it can be
alleviated. Stress may be unavoidable but it can be reduced by living a healthy lifestyle, listening
to music and being optimistic about the future. If stress, among college students, isnt handled
properly, damage to the brain and body can occur.

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