This is how many students minds went from mediocre stressed out to I want to drop out stressed. It is typical in college to be incredibly stressed. Most students complain about all the homework, tests and projects that are ahead. Students start to stress out about a paper or project that isn't due until the end of the semester. Even though we have weeks until those projects are due, our minds are already preparing for the stress that is ahead.
Students have endless amounts of work piled on their schedules every week. The moment we get even a slight breath is the best part of our week. We suffer through the late night "I need to get this paper done" or "I hate group projects." Our bodies are weak from the stress that is packed inside. Many students suffer from depression, anxiety and other illnesses due to all the stress.
As our professors lay yet another project on us, that we already knew about unless we didn't read the syllabus, our heads drop and our eyes roll. We are already surprised because we made it through another week. How could that be possible after the endless amount of stress poured over our bodies leading to anxiety? We didn't have time to socialize so now we feel lonely. We didn't have to time to get out and do something besides going to class. Due to all of that, some of us find ourselves depressed.
At times it can be serious enough to go to the doctor's and be clinically diagnosed with anxiety and depression. That can lead to recovery or make the situation even worse. According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 24.5% of college students are taking psychotropic medication. There are still more students out there who are suffering from depression and anxiety who are not taking the medication.
In some cases, extremely sad and heartbreaking situations occur. About 50% of students consider suicide. Of that 50%, 18% seriously considered it. And 8% made an attempt. By these numbers, why are some of us still talking about depression in a light matter?
If students are in these situations, who are we to blame? A number of hours they're taking? The professors? Life in general? Honestly, it all adds up. When a student has test after test, project after project, and paper after paper, how are they not to feel stressed? Students spend hours confined by studying or working on projects. Students seem to overthink things. Whether that is on a test or project they are working on, receiving a grade that you aren't too fond of is a stab in the chest. Students start to pry at everything they did wrong.
UC Berkeley is at the top of the list for students with the most stressed out students. Despite holding the number one spot, millions of other college students are just as stressed. So, why are depression and anxiety common among students? Students overwork themselves to achieve the "C's get degrees" motto. After a while, our bodies start break along with our minds.
Students may choose to ignore the stress that can lead to depression and/or anxiety. Most schools have a therapist on campus to help with anything related to anxiety, depression, or you simply need to talk. It can be a good idea to go in even if you don't think you have any health-related issues. Depression and anxiety are sneaky. Sometimes, we cover it up with the classic "I'm so stressed right now." If you don't want to talk with a therapist right away, seek a trusted friend who can actually help.
Depression and anxiety are not jokes. They are serious. If you feel like you might have depression and/or anxiety, please seek help. You can call multiple hotlines, which can be found here. Please, do not wait. You are not alone in this time.
