A new study from UCLA show that more college students are stressed out compared to previous years. In 1985, nearly two-thirds of incoming college students reported " their emotional health was very good or above average." This year's studies show that the percentages have dropped and now 52% of freshmen students would consider their emotional health very good or above average. A lower percentage of female freshmen put themselves in this category as compared to the male freshmen population. The economic crisis is a factor in this rise in stressed out college students. 53% of students rely on loans to pay for college tuition as well as the other requirements (housing, textbooks, etc). Another three-fourths have scholarships and grants to help pay for college. These economic hardships have changed opinions of taxation: in 2002, half the students polled said that the wealthy should be taxed more as compared to this year's two-thirds of students that feel that way.
I don't really find this all that shocking. Each year, the standards for incoming freshmen are higher and with higher standards come more competition within students. This competition will drive students to stress more because they have to put in more time and effort to do well in class and pass their courses. The economic part is also a huge contributing factor because students will have to find ways to pay off loans. This can be achieved by finding jobs, which will only add to the workload of college students. What do you guys think?
Monday, January 31, 2011
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4 comments:
This is just depressing...college is a time to explore different areas of study, not to be burdened by economic hardships (although I guess that is giving students a taste of living in the "real world"...)
I am also unsurprised. Though each student's view of his or her own emotional health is relative and subjective, I think the level of competition to be admitted into colleges, as well as the competition among the students within college, keeps getting worse, not just because of the sheer number of students vying for spots at schools and jobs in the real world, but also because they feel that they need to pursue competitive careers that pay well. I'm interested in whether a similar statistic or finding would result in a study of high school students; I'm guessing that there would be a similar pattern of rising stress levels.
I am also unsurprised. It seems that school in general has become more competitive at every level. As previously stated, economic hardships only add to the stress.
However, I'm surprised that with increasing competition, college students are studying less now than they were previously. (According to Mr. Silton, the average college student only studies 14 hours a week now!)
i'm all up for a higher education. it can uplift people from poverty and provide the tools of knowledge necessary to find a job for a steady income. But now adays, it seems like if you don't go to college, you are not expected to live comfortably. The stress to go to good colleges and to do good in school and that whole bit puts the pressure on. remember, you go to college to get a job. But your getting a job so you can feed yourself and your family. and that name of the school you went to helps, but that only goes so far.
Remember, education is a good correlation to financial success, but that does not guarantee success. Never does it guarantee happiness either.
keep it simple.
Mo' money, mo' problems
-Raymond Lim
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