Stress casts cloud over students ready for relief

With midterm grading coming to a close, students feeling the pressure from extra workloads and added demands are ready for relief, and maybe then the stress cloud that has covered campus will finally lift.

According to Dr. Alan Reifman, a contributor to “Psychology Today,” stress among college students could be caused by factors such as “leaving the family home, feeling intense pressure to obtain high grades in connection with career aspirations, taking final exams, trying to establish a romantic/social life, dealing with (often very high) costs of college and possibly working at a job during the school year.”

ULM students are no exception to anxiety and overwhelming expectations, with many students noticing a common sluggish attitude on campus.

“I think some [students] are lethargic, but other people seem to have cranky days every other day,” said Jenae’ Clay, a junior majoring in atmospheric science from Lafayette, La. “It’s usually worst for exam week”.

“You get to that point once the honeymoon wears off after getting back to school,” said Dylan Cooper, a junior atmospheric science major from Shreveport. “After your first series of tests, it’s time to get back to the grind.”

Students also debate whether teachers understand the stress their pupils are facing from other classes when assigning their own workloads.

“I think [teachers] can appear as if they don’t care, but they’re just trying to get through their material,” said Clay. “Most professors who I talk to one on one, and communicate with, will understand [other pressures].”

“I think [teachers] do [understand],” said Cooper, “but college…is not supposed to be easy. You have to learn to manage yourself and prioritize to do what needs to be done to succeed. It’s not a free ride anymore.”