In recent years, there has been an increasing number of young adults who report feeling stressed out by their higher education experience. A number of factors can contribute to this stress, including the pressure to succeed or the competition for jobs after graduation.

For many young adults, the stress of higher education can be too much to handle, leading to serious mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Check out some of the reasons why higher education might be more stressful for young adults than ever before.

Pressure to succeed

Young adults tend to feel a lot of pressure to succeed at school. This pressure can come from former teachers, friends, and relatives. Parents, in particular, tend to put a lot of pressure on their children.

When young adults have a lot of pressure, they can quickly feel more stressed. The increase in stress can significantly affect a young adult's performance in school. This creates a cycle where young adults feel stressed by the amount of pressure, fail to achieve the desired results, and feel even more stressed.

The feeling you need to succeed can also be attributed to society's pressure on its young people. You'll probably see advertisements or videos that tell young people if they're not achieving success early on in life, they will never reach it. However, this is a lie and only serves to cause more stress for young adults.

Keeping up with peers

Another factor that can lead to stress in higher education is the feeling you need to keep up with peers. In school, it's easy to compare yourself to others and feel like you're not doing as well as them. This can be especially true in college, where students often try to get into prestigious programs or top internships.

Often, higher education can be designed to reflect this. Some programs may only allow a limited number of students, which encourages competition. You have to be the best even to get your foot in the door.

The pressure to keep up with peers can be overwhelming. It's not uncommon for students to spend all night studying or working on assignments just to keep up. This can lead to sleep deprivation, which can have serious health consequences.

Competition for jobs

As graduation nears, many young adults feel a lot of pressure to find a good job. The market for good and high-paying jobs is extremely competitive, and it can be hard to stand out. This pressure can lead to a lot of stress for recent graduates.

The competition for jobs can also be exacerbated by the increasing cost of education. Students are taking on more and more debt to pay for school, and they're counting on getting a good job to help them pay it off. If they can't find a job that meets their expectations, they'll be stuck with a lot of debt and no way to pay it off.

This pressure can lead to soon-to-be graduates making hasty decisions about their careers. They might take jobs they don't want just because it's the only available option. Or, they might stay in jobs they don't like because they're afraid of being unable to find anything else.

The increasing cost of living

One final factor that can lead to stress for young adults is the increasing cost of living. Whether it's the cost of housing, food, or transportation, the costs of everyday life are rising. This is especially true in major cities, where the cost of living can be very high.

While not directly tied to higher education, increasing living costs relate. Your success in school can determine if you'll be able to make it in the real world.

For young adults just starting out, the increasing cost of living can be a real burden. It can make it hard to save money or pay off debt. It can lead to financial stress, which can majorly impact a person’s mental health. Poor mental health can lead to other issues like depression or substance abuse.

Overcoming stress

Young adults need to be aware of these stresses and take steps to manage them. Higher education is a major life transition, and it can be tough to adjust. But, by being aware of the potential stresses, you can be better prepared to deal with them.

If you're feeling stressed about higher education, you can do a few things to manage it. First, make sure you're taking care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat healthily, and exercise regularly. Doing these things will help you stay focused on your studies.

Second, reach out to family, friends, or professional help for support. Talk to them about what you're going through and let them know how they can help. They'll be there to lend a listening ear and offer advice when needed. You could also try individual therapy, which is designed to help people work through issues and change their way of thinking.

Finally, remember that everyone experiences stress at some point in their lives. It's normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Just take it one day at a time and focus on your goals. You'll get through it and be all the better for it in the end.