Everything You Need to Know About Stress as a Rhode Island University Student
College is often a transformative time. However, between the late-night study sessions, the pressure to land a perfect internship, and the complex social dynamics, the reality can feel like a balancing act. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by college, you’re not alone. In this post, we’ll explore the stressors facing college students, how to spot the signs of stress and anxiety, and how to find a therapist for college students in Providence, Rhode Island who truly gets it.
Causes of Stress for College Students
If you’re a stressed-out college student, you’re not alone! National surveys show that 27% of college students in the US report anxiety interfering with their performance, and 57% report feeling overwhelmed with their workload in the past two weeks.
There are many reasons why stress affects students at Rhode Island schools like Brown University and RISD:
Relationships and family are some of the most common sources of stress for college students. Students often navigate academic pressure from parents and relationships with peers, as well as evolving romantic relationships.
Limited time can be very stressful for students, making activities that would otherwise be easy feel like a burden. Students who work may especially face challenges with work-life balance. Many students also struggle with procrastination.
College students face high expectations from themselves and others, with perfectionism being common. For first-generation students, not having as much parental guidance on what to expect in college can be an added source of stress.
Academics, exams, extracurriculars, and career goals are also pervasive sources of stress for college students. Student athletes in particular need to balance school with other commitments.
For other students, health can be a source of stress. This includes concerns about substance use, as well as navigating the classroom with learning disabilities, mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism, or chronic illness.
College is a time for many students to figure out who they are and what they like. This process of developing an identity can cause stress. Beyond thinking through a path for their life, students may navigate identity challenges related to sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as their relationship with substance use and sex.
Lastly, the transition to college is tough for anyone. It may be especially challenging for international students, who may face culture shock or language barriers in the US. Other college students might experience a similarly stressful transition when they study abroad.
Symptoms of Stress in College Students
When thinking about stress in college students, we should distinguish stress and anxiety. Stress is typically a reaction to a specific challenge, like taking a final exam. It has a variety of symptoms, and might show up as muscle tension, a fast heart rate, headaches, irritability, trouble concentrating, racing thoughts, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. However, it usually subsides once the stressor is gone.
Some common feelings and worries among college students with high levels of stress include the sense that others have unrealistic expectations for them, that their workload is too high, that they lack time to relax, and that they may not succeed as a student or get a job after graduating. Students may also have stressors unrelated to school, such as family issues, housing concerns, the cost of their education and loans, and homesickness.
Not every college student who faces stress has anxiety. Anxiety is characterized by persistent feelings of fear, worry, or dread; it also has similar physical symptoms to stress. Anxiety can develop as a reaction to stress, but people keep experiencing it even after the situation is over.
If your stress or anxiety is causing you prolonged symptoms that disrupt your daily life, it’s time to look for an anxiety therapist. Even if you can’t change the stressful environment you’re in, working with a therapist can help you better manage it.
Therapy for College Student Anxiety in Providence, Rhode Island
Many students who could use mental health support don’t seek it because they believe anxiety and depression are normal in college. But just because these are common experiences does not mean they are typical and expected. Stress in college students can lead to lower achievement, depression, physical illness, or dropping out of college.
Other students may avoid seeking a therapist for anxiety because they don’t think it will help. However, there’s well-established evidence that different forms of individual therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based interventions, can effectively reduce stress and anxiety in college students. Many studies have found that students who participate in mindfulness-based interventions report a greater ability to stay calm and relaxed, as well as better focus and organization in academics.
Lastly, students may avoid therapy because accessing it seems hard or inconvenient. As a first step, if you want mental health support for stress or other issues as a college student, many colleges have dedicated psychological services. Students at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island can access short-term therapists at Brown’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). RISD students have access to therapists at their own Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office.
College counseling centers are an important and often first point of support for students navigating stress, transitions, and mental health concerns. However, because these centers serve large student populations, therapy is often time-limited and weekly appointments may not always be available. Some students find that they benefit from longer-term, weekly therapy or from working with a provider who offers a specific clinical specialty or speaks a different language. In those cases, finding a therapist near you using search tools like Zencare can help students connect with community-based clinicians, like Dyad Psychology's talented team in Providence, Rhode Island, who accept student insurance.
Conclusion
While stress is common for college students, it doesn’t need to be normal for you. By recognizing the signs of stress and anxiety and utilizing the resources available to you—whether through on-campus CAPS programs or local therapists in Providence, Rhode Island—you can develop the tools needed to reclaim your well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Isn’t it normal for college students to feel stressed?
Many college students are stressed. In fact, one survey found that 27% of college students stated that anxiety actively interferes with their academic performance. Still, it’s important to seek care for stress or anxiety that you feel is impacting your daily life.
2. How do I know if I’m experiencing stress or anxiety?
Stress is typically a response to a specific challenge, like a looming exam, and usually fades once the situation is resolved. Anxiety, however, is characterized by persistent feelings of dread or worry that may continue even when there is no immediate threat. A therapist can help you learn to cope better with stress, as well as treat anxiety.
3. Can a therapist actually help college students with stress?
Yes. There is well-established evidence that mental health interventions are effective at helping students reduce their stress. For instance, studies show that mindfulness-based interventions can help students feel calm, improve their focus, and stay organized. Whether you use short-term on-campus resources or seek long-term support through a private therapist, these tools can help you reclaim your well-being as a college student.