Five Stress Producing Situations for College Students

1. Separation from Family

• Positive: A chance to gain independence a grow apart from the family.
• Negative: Away from the positive support provided by the family.
• Requires new bearings and establishment of new support systems.

2. Freedom

• Few rules.
• Many decisions, adjustment to own values, responsibility for own mistakes.

3. Competition

• Competition for grades, grad school slots, jobs.
• How much stress is it worth to reach my goals?
• Much time spent alone working in isolation to reach goals.

4. Peer Pressure

• Conflicts between your own values and wanting to be accepted by others.
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Partying
• Studying
• Sex

5. Choosing a Career

• Choosing a career that is interesting but also provides a good income.
• Satisfying your parents.
• Wondering about the job market.