February & March Student Stressors
In addition to challenges regarding world events students often experience the following stressors throughout the months of February & March.
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.
FEBRUARY
Many students experience optimism because second semester/the academic year is perceived as going downhill.
- Depression increases for those students who have failed to establish social relationships or achieve a moderate amount of recognition.
MARCH
Drug and alcohol use may increase significantly before, during, and after spring break.
Academic pressures continue as midterms are taken and the results are received.
Extracurricular/job crisis for juniors (Will I get an internship?) and seniors (Will I get a job?Have I really learned anything? Was my major a mistake?
Eating Disorders and body image issues become more prevalent because of the ensuing summer and spring break holidays.
- Decrease in motivation after spring break, as many classes have projects or exams right before spring break.