Stress in the Life of College Students IntroductionStress is a state of mental tension or discomfort caused by adverse situations. Although each person experiences stress differently, it is something that every human being experiences throughout their life. College students in particular regularly experience stress, and for this reason, in this article I will explore stress in the lives of college students. More specifically, I will explore the common causes of stress, the effects that stress has on college students, and stress reduction techniques that can be effectively employed by students. Causes of Stress in College Students “The potential causes of stress are numerous. It can be linked to external factors such as the state of the world; environment in which one lives or works, or the family. It can result from irresponsible behavior, negative attitudes or feelings, or unrealistic expectations. The causes of stress are highly individual." (David Sam Jayakumar 2013). When stress occurs, it can be much greater or much less and can be caused by a wide range of different outcomes. In the life of a college student there are undoubtedly many things to emphasize on both academic and non-academic levels. The most common academic stressors are related to grades, while non-academic stressors are related to finances. Academic Stressors Academic stressors in the lives of college students can range from workload concerns to achieving good grades. These stressors can be internal or external and can both be explained in terms of self-esteem and self-efficacy. A heavy workload is a recipe for stress in a college student. In a 2009 study conducted by Thomas Webster of Edison Researc...... half of the paper ...... and job prospects. This can be explained by the fact that students wish to comply with social norms about adulthood and become financially independent. Stress caused by any or all of these things can have negative physical, emotional, and behavioral effects on college students. The physical effects are vast and can include headaches, muscle tension, fatigue and sleep deprivation. The most dangerous emotional effect is the increased risk of depression or anxiety disorders, both of which have a number of negative effects. The most concerning behavioral effect of stress is the shift to coping mechanisms, most commonly alcohol. Finally, a student can help eradicate stress from their life by implementing stress reduction techniques, the most effective of which include listening to music, exercising, venting to someone, taking deep breaths, and taking a step back to look at the big picture..