How Should Students Deal with Anxiety

1. How Should Students Deal with
Anxiety?
During the first few months of their academic careers, college students undergo
numerous life adjustments. They move out of their homes, lose their routine, and are
cut off from their social network, which leads them to feel anxious. Anxiety is a
person’s emotional state when they experience concern or fear (Drissi et al., 2020).
This condition can have a negative impact on a person’s wellness. Recognizing that
they suffer from anxiety, employing self-management, and restricting smartphone use
are effective ways for college students to manage their anxiety.

2. Background
• The majority of students experience anxiety during their school or college years. Drissi et al.
(2020) define college anxiety as a “common feeling that people frequently experience in
particular settings” that causes them to feel fear or worry (p. 104243). Statistically, 60.6% of
students at the University of Ottawa rate their stress levels as above average (“Awareness: Did
you know?,” n.d.).
• In addition, 64.5% report experiencing severe worry during the past year (“Awareness: Did you
know?,” n.d.). Extreme anxiety can lead to feelings of hopelessness, the inability to execute daily
tasks, and even melancholy. In light of the high percentage of Canadian students who experience
anxiety during their academic careers, colleges should provide support and assist students in
managing anxiety.
• Recognizing the condition, its symptoms, and the events that provoke it is the initial step in
overcoming anxiety. One concern with school anxiety, according to Stack (2018), is that it can
mirror other conditions, such as ADHD or shyness. As a result, educators and students may
overlook the signs, making anxiety an underrecognized issue in Canada.
• In addition, 46% of Canadians view “mental health issues” as an excuse for bad behavior or
laziness (“Awareness: Did you know?,” n.d.). As a result, students are oblivious to the fact that
their mental health condition is a result of the worry they feel due to the abrupt changes in their
lives, and their stress continues to increase.

3. Effective Methods for Managing Anxiety
• The first and most important action college students may take to combat anxiety
is to recognize and accept their feelings. LeBlank and Marques (2019) contend
that avoidant behavior is frequently the cause of unaddressed anxiety. As a result
of anxiety-induced avoidance, a student may, for instance, miss classes, fail to
study, or fail to submit homework. However, this behavior will increase the
individual’s long-term symptoms because he or she will have more
responsibilities to fulfill (LeBlank & Marques, 2019). Therefore, in order to
overcome anxiety, a student must be aware of how they feel and what triggers
this condition.
• Anxiety can be managed by creating a healing atmosphere and learning to self-
manage symptoms. According to Pelletier et al. (2017), self-management is one
of the most effective approaches to dealing with stress. Examples of self-
management include making a schedule, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
Kid et al. (2017) also report that self-management is effective for anxiety and
depression.