Here we lay out for you the “typical” stresses that students experience during their college years so you can anticipate their needs and know how to pray for them.
– Homesickness
– Students on medications may have trouble due to mismanagement of medications
– International students sense confusion, vulnerability, and the lack of an advocate
– Roommate differences and social adjustments
– Feelings of inadequacy might develop
– Freshmen begin to realize that college life isn’t as perfect as they thought.
– Overwhelmed by time management pressures
– The novelty is gone; some question God’s leading to Corban
– New students may struggle with finding friends
– Addictive behavior may start to surface
– Economic anxiety surfaces
– Academic pressure due to finals and class selection for the spring
– Pressure over plans for Thanksgiving – for some, anxiety over being home
– Depression and anxiety increase because of feelings that one should have adjusted to the college environment by now
– Questions begin over whether to come back second semester
– Increased stress as final exams approach
– Extra-curricular time strain
– Pre-Christmas depression for those who have difficult home lives
– Financial strain because of Christmas gifts, traveling costs, etc.
– Apprehension over returning to new relationships
– Emotional stress due to family issues that surfaced over vacation
– Renewed commitment to academics
– Students may drop classes to help alleviate academic pressure
– Start considering housing situation for next year
– Couples begin to establish stronger ties (engagement) or experience weakening of established ones
– “Senioritis” sets in
– Concern over how grades will end up
– Decision and direction over summer jobs or ministry
– Housing selection process can cause social anxiety and a fear of being excluded
– Inability to make a vocational choice might cause anxiety
– “Sophomore slump”: most have completed general studies—now what?
– Apprehension or sadness over leaving relationships established during the year
– Seniors panic
