April & May Student Stressors

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.