Common Causes Of Stress Among College Students

College is a wonderful opportunity to, not only further your education, but experiment with life before it gets too serious. Having said that, college life is not without it's stressful situations. Here are a few common causes of stress amongst college students.

Possibly one of the biggest stressors for some college students is the considerable debt they will have to take on, in order to afford tuition fees, campus accommodation and textbooks. Quite often this is a source of great concern for a kid that is straight out of high school and may not be financially literate.

Whilst the debt alone is stressful, the need to service this debt can cause the student to over-extend themselves. This might mean that they have to take on a second job or work long hours as an employee and a student at the same time. This could have knock on effects with the ability to concentrate on their studies which could lead to failure of their course. This scenario would prove stressful.

Another common cause of stress is adapting to the new life they have suddenly landed into. In many ways this new found freedom can be a source of great joy and motivation, but it can also be stressful.

For many it will be the first time they have lived outside the nurturing and protective security of the family unit. Their parents will have provided for them materially and will have set down boundaries on how to live. This no longer applies in college and one of the first tasks a student undertakes is to find an identity and effectively test the rules that were set out by their parents. The uncertainty and lack of identity is a common cause of stress.

As a student becomes more established in college the stresses that affect them are related to succeeding in their educational objectives. There will be particularly stressful periods when they have to complete papers or cram for exams. Other causes of stress could be giving presentations and seminars on their subject. This could lead to spending long hours concentrating on the subject and letting other aspects of their lives slide. This loss of harmony in their lives could be stressful.

As they get to the end of their college careers, the inevitable stress of preparing for the real or adult world is apparent. Such considerations like, finding a job, preparing and taking job interviews, potentially relocating, leaving their college friends can be stressful.

While most of these concerns are well negotiated by most students, they can often create problems for some. A great way to deal with these problems is to have a support structure to help the student through these times. This structure could be part of the college, be a network of friends or be their family. The importance of being about to talk through these issues cannot be overlooked.

America's Best Rated College Marching Bands

Almost every single college in America has a marching band which performs during games and around campus. However, there are some which stand out as exceptional, even among colleges. This is a list of the top five of America's best college marching bands. Whether they were chosen for their style, their sense of fun, or their prestige, any one of these bands won't fail to amaze.

#1 -- Ohio State University Band

Ohio State University's marching band calls itself “The Best Damn Band in the Land”, and it isn't without reason. The all brass and percussion band is the largest of its kind in the world, and there is fierce competition among undergraduate for one of the spots on the 192 member band. Their signature song and formation is the Script Ohio, where they perform a complex series of looping maneuvers which eventually result in them spelling out, in cursive, “Ohio”. The Ohio State Band has been running since the late 1800's, and helped to pioneer many of the techniques used by bands everywhere today, such as script writing, the use of instruments designed specifically for marching, and moving formations. The OSU band has performed in inauguration parades and before NFL games, as well as at every OSU home game. If you can get onto it, this marching band is truly the best college marching band in the nation.

#2 -- University of Michigan Band

The University of Michigan's marching band, or the Michigan Marching Band, is almost as famous as Ohio State's. Its 350 members come to school to weeks early for the grueling “band week”, wherein they practice their music, formations, and drills in preparation for the school year. Their signature is their drum major's back bend, where the hapless major leans backward so far that their head touches the ground while the entire stadium watches. Football games are day-long affairs for the marching band, who start preparing at 7:30 in the morning the day of the game, and then has a tight schedule of practices and performances throughout the day. While the Michigan band usually confines their performances to University of Michigan games, they are nonetheless amazingly dedicated and involved, and anyone on this band will have a great experience.

#3 -- Stanford Band

The Stanford Band, which bills itself as “The Largest Rock and Roll Band in the Nation”, is notable more for its theatrics then its music. Unlike many other university bands, it is almost entirely student run, founded by rebellious students in the early 60's. It performs at many games and student events, and has become legendary for its volume. The band, true to its nickname, mostly performs classic rock songs, although it takes great pains to vary what it plays, never repeating the same song on a single day. The band has been banned from several college campuses for their hijinks – for example, they were briefly banned from performing at Notre Dame after their conductor directed the band using a wooden cross as a wand. However, perhaps their most notable controversy was “The Play” – an incident during the 1982 game against Cal where band members flooded the field before the game was over, allowing Cal to score a winning touchdown. While the Stanford band may not be as musically serious as some of the other bands on this list, they are, without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable bands to be a part of, whether you're a world class tuba player or can just barely play the kazoo.

#4 -- University of California Band

Coming right on the heels of Stanford is the University of California's band, usually referred to simply as the Cal Band. It is student run, and performs at many sporting events and student events. It was founded in the late 1800's and currently has 240 members. They have a style very similar to that of Ohio State, with heavy use of high stepping. They are also similarly famous, putting in performances on many radio stations throughout the California area, the Ed Sullivan show, the Wheel of Fortune, and even playing during a Nobel lecture. The Cal band is consistently impressive, and would be a great choice for any aspiring college band geek.

#5 University of Massachusetts Amherst Band

Last, but certainly not least in our list of America's best college marching bands, is the University of Massachusetts Amherst's marching band, usually referred to as the Minutemen in a nod to New England's revolutionary history. The band was founded in 1935 and currently has 380 members. It won the Sudler trophy for college marching bands in 1998, a huge honor. Generally the band plays primarily at games and student-run events, although it has also played performances in locations such as Boston's Fanueil Hall. It is a traditional band, utilizing precise formations and exact drills, with its signature formation being a huge M. It generally accepts only the most talented musicians, and is another excellent choice for a college band.

Causes Of Stress Amongst College Students

Presence of many factors can cause stress to college children. Although the college years are the most exciting years of a person’s life, but at the same time it can be quite stressful too. The primary cause of stress among college children is because of the pressure to excel in academics. These days there is a lot of competition among college students to secure higher marks, so that they can get admitted to a renowned institution. Students who are aiming to receive scholarships have to toil very hard to earn the coveted position or students who have received scholarships have to display excellent academic performance so that they can retain their scholarships. There are a lot of college children who have to experience stress due to lack of finances. So these people are always looking for ways through which they can earn sufficient money to cover their tuition fees and living expenses. College children who have acquired loans to pay their college fees also remain under stress because they have to repay the loan in the stipulated time. College children have to do many kinds of tasks like doing part time jobs, taking care of the studies, etc, which is a major cause of stress. Nonetheless these kinds of activities prepare them to get mature for adulthood but simultaneously it also exerts a lot of stress in their life.  

Some students can easily find out what they want to achieve in the future and some children might be unable to take such decisions because of confusion. When they see their peers making decisions instantaneously then they might become stressed because they are unable to manage life as their friends. Many college children are caught in crossfire when they have to make important decisions regarding their career. Career related issues are often a cause of stress among college students. A lot of change is experienced by college students and these changes can be a source of stress as they have to deal with new and unknown things. Students start to become independent when they join college as they get away from the family and are responsible for themselves. Becoming independent is a crucial process and it induces a lot of stress among college children. For the first time a person takes charge of his life and makes important decisions, which can be a very stressful experience for most of the college students.

 

Peer pressure is regarded as one of the most common causes for stress in college children. Due to peer pressure college students are under constant pressure to experiment with drugs, sexual relationships and other activities which can be harmful to both the body and the mind. College children are always stressed because if they do not give in to the peer pressure then they will not be accepted by the others and hence will have to face loneliness. Stress can be accumulated even when a person tries to resist peer pressure. But college children should remember that experiencing stress during this period of life is considered quite normal.

The Ups and Downs of College Life

The college years have at times been called the “best years of your life,” and for good reason. College is a time of opportunities, when you have an unprecedented level of freedom and lots of choices. The traditionally aged college student is at the start of his or her life and career, with much to look forward to.

At the same time college life introduces stresses both familiar and new. Many students are living on their own for the first time, whether in a dorm or an apartment—a change which is exciting but difficult. You’re taking on more and more responsibilities, negotiating the transition to becoming a full adult. At the same time you have to deal with increasingly tough classes, many on subjects you know little about. Most students have to juggle multiple obligations, such as a job, internship, and clubs or activities, and it’s difficult to find time for everything. And then there are the financial burdens—many students are paying for some or all of their own tuition, and even those who aren’t usually have to pay for their own books, transportation, and other necessities.

So how do you deal with all these responsibilities? College students face a high stress level, and to get through these years successfully it’s important to develop strategies to manage your time and energy. Because college doesn’t have to be so stressful. Here are some strategies to help set you up for success, strategies that if you learn them now will serve you well in other stressful situations throughout your life.

Note: The life of the older, nontraditional college student is often more stressful than that of the 18-year-old freshman. Nontraditional students usually have to balance school with a full-time job or a family or both, as well as many other preexisting obligations. Yet older, adult students have typically dealt with stress more often and developed their own coping strategies, and are more prepared to take on the new burden of college classes. While the strategies in this article are geared towards traditional college students, most if not all should also apply to nontraditional students.

Get Involved (But Not Too Much)

College offers a lot of opportunities, such as clubs, sports, and other groups and activities. It’s likely there’s at least one group on your campus that will appeal to your interests. Getting involved in school-sponsored and student organizations can be a great way to relax and meet cool people, and to get a nice change from classes and work. Joining clubs and activities helps you find the social network that’s right for you, and can provide experience that will be valuable to you later in life. Just be careful not to join too many different groups. You want a diverse college experience, but you don’t want to take on more than you can handle or you risk adding to your stress level and not being able to fulfill all of your responsibilities. Figure out how much time you have available in a given week to devote to such activities.

Can College Students Mentor Younger Students?

Although college students can mentor younger students, they still need the proper training to be able to successfully mentor younger students.

Being a mentor requires maturity, responsibility and tack to be successful in the job. A mentor is someone who helps someone and therefore should be more mature and knowledgeable than his ward. It is not just a teaching process wherein the mentor teaches what he is suppose to teach to the ward and leave after finishing his task but it is a process that needs more than teaching. A mentor is more than just a teacher; instead a mentor has a mundane of responsibilities rested on his shoulders. A mentor is a teacher who doesn't only teach but guides, leads, counsels and nurtures a person to become knowledgeable and worthwhile.

College students are still in their process of learning and honing their ability to guide and teach others.  College students are not qualified to become mentors because they are still young people who also need mentoring themselves. College students must be given more time and maturity before they could mentor other children. It is not right to give college students responsibilities that would distract their studies. While it is true that some students could become mentors for some reasons, they still need training and adjustments to be able to mentor.

There are lots of things to take into consideration before one could become a good mentor. One is intelligence. One could not teach a child without this asset. Knowledge is always inculcated in mentoring and to be able to mentor means having knowhow in what you need to teach a child. Maturity is also considered. When one is immature he cannot expect to become a successful mentor. There are many things that a mentor will encounter as he mentors a child and maturity must be met in order to tackle obstacles that come while mentoring. Patience should also be met when someone wants to become a mentor. Young men and women are sometimes very impatient and cannot handle mentors who are very aggressive. They might end up hurting their students in this case.

Mentoring is a job done by people who are already professionals and have the right training and knowhow of becoming a mentor. Children are very hard to handle at times and it takes one to have the utmost patience and the tack to make the child behave. Since college students are still on their learning process, it is not right to give them a responsibility which will make them encounter problems that they cannot handle. It is better for them to finish college first before they could go into mentoring children.

There are many situations wherein mentoring is difficult to tackle. One is when a child refuses to listen or really wants his teacher to get annoyed. Some children could be really nasty and younger men and women could hardly cope with these children. Another thing is that there are children who make fun of their mentors especially when they know that their mentor is very young. There are times when a mentor needs to be strict so that the child would learn to put himself in the right place. In such situations, college students could be left to suffer situations that they cannot handle.

While mentoring is a tough process, college students could mentor if they qualify for the job.  There are college students who can handle students pretty well.  There are those who could beat some professional mentors too.   If a college student is good then he or she could mentor younger students but they need the proper training because they still lack the maturity .

Khalsa College Amritsar

   

       Khalsa College, a multi-faculty Postgraduate co-educational institution, was established in 1966 as a result of the efforts of respectable Mahant Sewa Dass and Dr. M.S. Randhawa. The college is located at the Hoshiarpur- Dasuya state highway. The college campus is spread over an area of 18 acres. Presently the college is being run under the management of SGPC, Amritsar.

       Earlier 1966, Shri Mahant Sewa Dass, a Udeshi Saint and head of Dera known as Bahadurpur Wala (Hoshiarpur) and Dr M.S. Randhawa, an ICS and a known figure in administration and education took a institution to establish this college with a objective to educate the people of this backward area of Kandi. Jathedar Gurchran Singh Tohra, Giani Jagdish Singh and Jathedar Pritam Singh helped on local Managing Committee in arranging initial endowment funds by pledging the land of Gurdwara Shri Kiratpur Sahib, Mahant Sewa Dass, Gurnam Singh Machian, Chaudhary Pritam Singh guided the destiny of the college as President of Governing body from 1966 to 1996. In March 1996, the college was handed over to the SGPC, Amritsar, a known religions body of the Sikhs, which is managing the affairs of the college since then.

       From time to time the college has been headed by eminent educationists like Principal S. Bharpur Singh and Raja Harnarinder Singh, both of whom later become chairperson of Punjab School Education Board, S. Chanan Singh Saif, Shri K.S. Beri, S. Umrao Singh led the team of college staff as Principal from 1966 to 1981. S. Rajinder Singh Pawan held the reins of the college with great courage and presence through tensions periods. He served the college for 22 long years. It was through his effort that the control of the college could be given over to the SGPC, Amritsar in 1996 which resulted in the starting of a peaceful era in the history of the college. Since then the financial aid from the SGPC has helped a lot in the manifold development of the college. Presently, the college is being headed by the undersigned Dr. Satwinder Singh Dhillon from April 2005. The whole team of staff member are making all their efforts for the multifarious development of the College.

       The college has been quite successful in achieving the goal of imparting quality higher education to the poor people of Kandi area of Hoshiarpur. Thousand of our alumni has secured careers in the Department of Education, Defence and pera military forces, FCI, Politics and in foreign countries.

       Khalsa College is proud of Shri D.C. Lakha, IAS has been working as Principal Secretary of UP Government, Sh. Surinder Singh, Executive Director of FCI, S. H. S. Randhawa, IG Punjab Police and D.S. Lakha, Commandent MSG, Gurgaon Haryana etc.

Mexico City College

     Mexico City College (MCC) was a truly unique institution where Mexico became part of the school’s classroom.  Located in and later on the outskirts of Mexico City, it offered a broad liberal arts curriculum accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).  Students and faculty from across the United States and almost three dozen countries, along with a local student body, supported by a multinational faculty, provided an educational environment of extraordinary cultural diversity that could not be matched anywhere else at the time. Twenty years after its founding, it stood on the brink of foundering when “it would be re-named as the University of the Américas, then the Universidad de las Américas followed by its move to Puebla. Fifteen years later it was divided into two distinct, separate institutions, one still in Puebla, Universidad de las Américas-Puebla (UDLAP), and one back in Mexico City,  Universidad de las Américas, A.C. [‘Asociación Civil,’ designating a nonprofit corporation],(UDLA, A.C., or just UDLA)."¹² 

     To appreciate fully the evolution of MCC into UDLAP ("one of the most prestigious private universities in Mexico" ^{Note M}), the history and the politics, requires going back to the opening days of the Second World War.