Largest source of teen stress college

Kieron graduated from Vanderbilt University in with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. The college years have often been called "the greatest years of our lives" due to the fact that there is rarely a time when people learn so much, meet so many people, and experience so many new things at one time. With so many positive stories around, it can be easy to overlook the fact that there are also a large number of challenges present at a university. For many young students, it is possible that college could also end up being the most stressful years of their lives. The unique thing about being a college student is that there are so many possible sources of distress at any given point in time.

Applying to college is competitive, and students realize this. It is drilled into their heads by high school faculty to make themselves stand out, get the highest grades possible and take the most rigorous courses. They said that college admissions look most closely at grades, the rigor of high school curriculum, and test scores as the top determining factors for choosing incoming freshman. It is because of this that students are going into college stressed and overworked from even just getting accepted.

In college, stress is a normal part of the experience. After all, there are significantly more demands on you now than there were in high school. The work is more challenging, the pressure to perform is more intense, and there is no one hovering over you to make sure you get everything done. But while the college years naturally involve increased stress levels, it's important to recognize when those levels get out of control. A little stress can actually be a good motivator; it pushes us to meet challenges and results in increased productivity.

According to the American Institute of Stress, stress has many different causes, which can vary from person to person. A situation or condition that bothers one person might not worry another person at all. Some individuals get stressed easily while others need several different stressful events before they begin to feel the physical or psychological effects. Although what individuals find stressful may differ, there are some common stressors. Some individuals experience long-term stress as a result of a traumatic childhood.