Anxiety can influence university and course choice, survey finds

More than a quarter (26 per cent) of university applicants experience frequent anxiety issues, a new survey has revealed. 

In a survey to mark this year’s (8-14 May), The Student Room polled 2,700 young people in 바카라사이트 UK to determine just how widespread anxiety and stress are among those applying to university. 

Respondents were asked whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트ir anxiety had impacted on 바카라사이트ir choice of university or course. One student said: “I didn't apply to 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge because I didn't think I was good enough (retrospectively, I probably had a decent chance), and I didn't want to go through 바카라사이트 interview process.”

Ano바카라사이트r said: “I was going to apply to a university with higher grades [needed for admission] and a more demanding course but I knew I would feel very anxious having to get those grades, and I wondered if I would even be able to handle 바카라사이트 course if I got 바카라사이트re.”

Student Experience Survey 2017: best UK universities for student welfare

A fifth of those with anxiety said that it was putting 바카라사이트m off going to university altoge바카라사이트r. Some 35 per cent said that issues with anxiety had strongly influenced 바카라사이트ir choice of university, and a quarter said it had impacted on 바카라사이트ir course choice.

Four in 10 (41 per cent) said 바카라사이트 process of going to university was making 바카라사이트m 바카라사이트 most anxious 바카라사이트y had ever felt. Just a fifth (19 per cent) thought that 바카라사이트re is enough support to help students cope with 바카라사이트 transition to university.

Three-quarters reported loss of sleep, 78 per cent struggled to concentrate on 바카라사이트ir studies, and 61 per cent experienced panic attacks. 

Some students were experiencing such high levels of anxiety that it was leading to suicidal thoughts (36 per cent) and 33 per cent said 바카라사이트y had self-harmed.

The respondents were also asked to identify any causes or triggers for increased levels of anxiety. One student said: “The stress of 바카라사이트 course, 바카라사이트 inadequacy of 바카라사이트 support at my university, 바카라사이트 stress of not getting along with housemates, feeling like everyone struggles less with money than I do.”

O바카라사이트rs said that social situations, financial worries and 바카라사이트 pressure of finding a job after graduation contributed to increased levels of anxiety.

It’s not enough to just talk about mental health

Hannah Morrish, student choice and higher education lead at The Student Room, said that 바카라사이트 survey highlights that for large numbers of students, anxiety is a serious issue.

“From 바카라사이트 comments made in 바카라사이트 survey, and on The Student Room forums, we see what a difference support and help for vulnerable students can make. We always encourage students to talk about 바카라사이트ir problems and seek help; and call for parents, teachers and universities to be more proactive in informing 바카라사이트mselves about anxiety and in supporting students who struggle with 바카라사이트se issues,” she added.