Stress and Academic Outcomes in College Students

Indianapolis, IN

College has long been associated with stress. Previous studies have found that college students are highly stressed individuals. The transitional nature of one’s life in college lends itself well to a stressful lifestyle. Stressors are undoubtedly everywhere; however, identifying stressors in school can help students manage or alleviate their stress. By analyzing the relationship between stress and academic outcomes, one can hope to discover a point at which students can both succeed academically and at managing stress. This study looks at behaviors common to college students and their interaction with students' perceived stress. By surveying a sample of Marian University students over academic outcomes, their stress levels, and their schedule as it relates to certain behaviors, a researcher can identify any correlations between variables, as well as identify populations likely to experience high levels of stress, and populations likely to experience academic success.