OPINION ESSAY

STRESS FACED BY COLLEGE STUDENTS

                Have you ever do something inappropriate in your life before? It was reported that 262,000 college students have social problems, involved in crimes and approximately 880 college students were reported to commit suicide as a result of stress. Stress is one of the common problems faced by societies in Malaysia, especially college students. The following paragraphs will illustrate more on causes of stress, effects of stress and how to cope with the problem.

            The problem of stress that is faced by college students is caused by many factors. Firstly, the students get too many assignments or work in one time and have to submit it in a short time. Some of the lecturers in certain universities or colleges tend to give their students assignments more than what is required. The students are then given a short time such as one week to submit the assignments. Thus, stress and pressure are felt among the students. Next, another factor of stress is peer pressure. This is the most common factor which leads to stress. Some students are permitted from doing any activities that their friends are doing such as hanging out on weekends or going out at night. The students will feel unsatisfied because they cannot do what others can. This situation can make students face stress. Furthermore, the third factor why college students face stress is because of financial and family problems. They could come from a poor family who are struggling to pay the college fees and living cost in the college. Besides, the students from the poor family may be surrounded by rich friends who can own anything and this will make the students feel not welcomed among their friends. Stress occurred to those students who felt ashamed of themselves because of their family backgrounds.

            The problem of stress among college students has led to many bad effects to the students. Firstly, the students’ studies are affected and they are not focused in class. The stress that they felt could disturb their attention in class. The students could not answer the questions in their examinations and this will result to bad grades in their examinations. The bad examination results could make the students feel more stress and pressure. Furthermore, college students tend to hurt themselves without thinking wisely as one of the solution to the problem. The students who cannot withstand stress may commit suicide. The students could also hurt themselves by cutting or slashing their hands purposely using knife. Besides, the bad effect that occurred among the students is they will tend to do more crimes. For example, some students would steal things that they are not afforded to buy just to impress and be accepted among their friends. The students may also take drugs as one of the ways to run away from the pressure they felt.

            Stress is just one of the problems that everyone will be facing in their lives. There are many actions that could be taken by college students to cope with stress. One of the actions that could be done by the students is to meet the counsellors and talk with them. The counsellors could give advises and tips on how to cope with stress which are beneficial to the college students. Students are also recommended to go to motivational talks on how to handle stress. Besides, students should meditate according to one’s religion. For example, Muslims should perform their Salah and read the holy Quran. This could calm them and they would be able to handle stress well. Another way to cope with stress is the students should find friends that could help and treat them well. This way, the students could feel welcomed among their friends.

            As a conclusion, stress is a problem that will be faced by college students. There are many causes and effects of stress on college students. However, all parties could involve themselves in order to help students or people who are in stress. I hope that this problem faced especially by college students could be overcome with the help from parents, friends and other authorities. This is to ensure that the future generations are well cared and could help to improve the nation’s future.