WORK AND STRESS IN ACADEMIC LIFE

Work and Stress in Academic Life



Abstract

Academic life is considered to be the best time of a person's life, but many people do not realize that is also a very stressful time. Finding friends at school can be a very hard time for college students. Students do not realize it, but there are many events in lives that cause stress. “Some areas that cause stress are: a person's job, school, finances, relationships, traits and attitudes towards stress” (Scott 2010). Understanding where the stress comes from will enable a person to cope with stress better. Without managing stress levels students may find themselves shaking uncontrollably or getting very aggravated and getting poor results in academic life. This study explores the relationship between stress and academic performance of students and proves the hypothesis of relationship by analyze a sample of 30 students. The study also discusses the sources of stress and briefly describes the ways to cope up with it.

Work and Stress in Academic Life

Introduction

According to the dictionary stress is the importance, significance, or emphasis placed on something. According to Walker and her Teenagers in Distress Series people may experience stress when they become very busy, have deadlines to make, or do not have enough time to finish everything they wanted. People may stress about simple things like flying and animals, but many people experience stress from the fear of failing, being humiliated, or experiencing a death of a family member.

Stress centres around two important times for teenagers, when they are home or at school. “In a survey of sixty young people the primary sources of tension for teens were: relationships with friends and family, the pressure of expectations from self and others, pressure at school from teachers, coaches, grades and homework, financial pressures, and tragedy in the lives of family and friends.” (Fisher, 1994, 101) More causes of stress for teenagers include breaking up with their significant other, arguments with parents, trouble with siblings, and trouble with classmates. Most teens respond to stress by relaxing, positive problem solving, or seeking friendship where they will gain support from others. Listening to music and being close to the people they care about are two examples of how teens cope with stress.

Most teenagers go through stress and move on, however some cannot and their stress starts to build. These teens are at a high risk of developing some sort of depression. Family history is another cause of stress for a teen. Some examples of this are history of depression or suicide in the family, alcoholism or drug use in the family, sexual or physical abuse, and family conflict (Passer & Smith, 2005, 87). Personality traits can be a sign of trouble if the teen show: impulsive behaviours, aggressive and antisocial behaviours, withdrawal and isolation, and problems with sleeping and/or eating. Psychological and social events increase the amount of problems in a teen's life. Some of these events are “death of a friend or family member, poor grades, ...