As a college student I think there is one thing that every student has endured and can relate to— stress. My entire life is surrounded around my education.
My daily schedule goes a little like this: wake up at 6:00 am, drive to school, eat, go to class at 10:00 am, get a small break to eat again, go to class again, stay on campus until 8:00 pm studying, drive home, study more, and finally sleep.
Sound familiar? Now, your schedule might not be exactly the same, but I’m sure it’s pretty close. According to the university website, about 86% of undergraduate students are enrolled full time at Saint Xavier University. To be considered full time you should be taking 12 credit hours a semester.
Let’s break that down. For every credit hour a student is enrolled in, they are expected to study for three hours a week. So, a full time student is required to study roughly around 36 hours for a week of coursework.
Since I started at SXU I have been enrolled roughly around 15-18 credit hours a semester. I am expected to study around 45- 54 hours a week. ‘Thats more than a full time job! Sleep, eating, extracurricular activities, and a social life have to be somehow squeezed in there while still managing to keep up with my studies and get good grades.
Most college students just became adults and are just starting to learn real responsibility. Specifically first-year students who are used to coming home to dinner on the table, their laundry done, and video games to play or TV to watch every night.
Many students choose to go away for college, so they’re entire lifestyle has to change. Change is hard and the adjustment process is not one that happens overnight. They now have to learn to do a majority of the things their parents used to do for them.
I’m a commuter but I moved away from home to live with a family member because it was closer. Let me tell you the amount of calls my mom got my first week at my grandma’s! It took me so long to adjust and get comfortable. It was hard, and I eventually did get used to it, but I find myself homesick very often.
There is also the intense pressure to maintain and consistently receive high grades to be able to reach their future career aspirations. Let’s not forget about final exams. Now that will really mess with your heart!
For example, as a pre-medicine major I need to maintain a high GPA or my chances of ever getting into medical school are shot. That means one screw up in a class and I am forced to retake it. The intense pressure to consistently get A’s on every exam, practical, project, lab report, etc. can get to a person.
It is not healthy to be this stressed all the time. I remind myself why I’m here, why it’s all worth it. There is the stress of establishing or maintaining current social and romantic relationships.
When I first started at SXU I didn’t know anybody. I knew most of the people that I graduated high school with for over 8 years. I had to start over and it was something out of my comfort zone, but I met some amazing people.
My best friend and I literally ran in the rain together our first day of class and we have been inseparable ever since! Two of my other closest friends I met in a class and we’re like the three biology nerd musketeers.
For a majority of students there is the biggest stressor of working to pay for college. In addition to their studies there has to be time for a job that pays for you to be there. I give any college student with a job a lot of credit.
I think we can all agree that there is a long list of stressors for college students. I am constantly stressed out and that is not a healthy thing. However, if your stress levels begin to get out of hand talk to somebody.
They don’t have to be college students, they don’t have to be family, they could even be a professor. You would be surprised the amount of advice they can provide. I personally go to my boyfriend or a family member and I feel a thousand times better after I cry like a baby and let it all out.
Being a college student is hard I don’t know how we do it. What I do know is that it’ll pay off. I will see you all at graduation.
Susy Macias
Senior Viewpoints Editor