Academic & Social Impacts
Being a college student is tough. Battling mental health issues at the same time is tougher.
Take a Closer Look
Poor mental health can affect two of the most important aspects of a college student's life: their social battery and their academics. From decreased participation rates in social gatherings to a decreased focus in school, mental health disorders--specifically anxiety and depression--can "affect memory and concentration, which makes it more difficult to acquire new knowledge and cope with examination situations" (Grøtan et. al, 2019, p. 2).
Positive Mind, Positive Life
Self-efficacy refers to how we believe in ourselves. In other words, if we believe that we will ace that exam or rock that presentation, then we have high self-efficacy.
But what happens when our mental health is down the drain?
According to Grøtan et al., "students who report symptoms of severe mental health problems have about four times the risk of experiencing low academic self-efficacy compared with those who report few and moderate symptoms" (p. 8).
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Though having a positive attitude is easier said than done, reminding yourself that you are capable of success in times of distress is critically important in turning dreams into reality.
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What About Stress?
Whether students are studying for an upcoming exam, preparing for a presentation, or even checking their assignments for the week, these are all valid stressors and may cause some degree of uncertainty or anxiety. In fact, stress related to coursework had a correlation with poor mental health and overall well-being (Campbell et al., 2022, p. 17).
Balance is Key
While many students work full-time and part-time jobs, these responsibilities often take priority over social gatherings and other activities such as personal interests and hobbies.
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However, evidence suggests that "involvement in leisure activities was also found to be associated with improved coping strategies and better mental wellbeing" (Campbell et al., 2022, p. 19).
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What does this mean for students?
This goes to show that despite the obvious need to prioritize work, incorporating fun and social activities is just as necessary to lead a fulfilling life.
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References
Campbell, F., Blank, L., Cantrell, A., Baxter, S., Blackmore, C., Dixon, J. (2022). Factors that influence mental health of university and college students in the UK: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1-1778. doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13943-x
Grøtan, K., Sund, E. R., & Bjerkeset, O. (2019). Mental health, academic self-efficacy and study progress among college students - the SHoT study, Norway. Front Psychol, 10, 45. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00045