April & May Student Stressors

April 4, 2025

In addition to challenges regarding world events students often experience the following stressors throughout the months of April & May.     

You can connect students to the Thrive Center to help them navigate these challenges or utilize SOS and the SOS Helpful Resources to help them find appropriate resources.


  • Frustration and confusion develop because of decisions necessary for advanced fall course registration. 
  • Past due account balances impact reenrollment, students face pressure to clear balances while seats are still available in needed fall courses. 
  • Pressures emerge as students begin planning for summer work or classes. 
  • Academic pressure increase as the semester end approaches, but motivation to study decreases if weather changes and become warmer. 
  • Concerns continue to grow for students looking for work or internships. 
  • Anxiety rises as classes end and work is due. 
  • Graduating students may be concerned about full–time work or additional education. 
  • Many anticipate conflicts with family over the summer. 
  • Year ends in a rush: summer job decisions, papers, exams, vacation, anxiety over changed relationship with parents, etc. Students leave college before all their concerns are effectively managed. 
  • Students without a support system are concerned about stability or resources until they return in fall 
  • Students are making choices about returning to the institution, transferring or stopping out.
  • Students may face programmatic changes or becoming academically ineligible to return to the university. 
  • Many realize their academic performance could mean loss of financial aid or merit-based scholarships.