Public Servant Lifestyle

Whilst 96% consider going to university worthwhile, over half of students are now admitting to more stress in their university life.

Life at university is stressful, particularly for female students, those from a C2DE background and those studying at new universities, according to the Student Living Report 2002.

Feeling stressed whilst at university is not unusual; involving, as it does, moving away from home, one of the main causes of stress may be having to make new friends and dealing with financial and academic responsibilities. According to Mental Health Foundation research, students appear to have poorer psychological and physical health than non-students of the same age and sex.

Unsurprisingly, the survey finds that the main cause of stress among students is financial worries, although academic concerns and worries about future employment are common causes:

Having little money, student debt and juggling university work with other commitments are the worst aspects of university life

One in four students are now admitting to struggling with some bills and credit commitments

One sixth (18%) are managing to keep up but find it a constant struggle, while a further 4% claim to have fallen seriously behind with some bills and 2% have fallen behind with all their bills

43% of students have had to undertake part-time employment during term time (1-29 hours per week) in order to help make ends meet. This year almost three-quarters of students claim to have conducted some form of work while at university, compared with little more than a half last year

Nicholas Porter, chief executive of housing company UNITE comments: "These figures highlight the need for universities, colleges and their private sector partners to do more to address the problem of student stress. The report suggests that half of students would welcome guidance on how to manage finances for example. In relation to academic support, two-thirds are positive about the support they receive, although those studying social sciences are less positive than those in the science and engineering faculties. Students are also increasingly finding their student unions useful for advice and guidance."

The university experience continues to be a very positive one for almost all students. 96% consider going to university worthwhile and three fifths of students are not worried about loans at the moment, believing they can pay them off when they start working. 88% are happy with their life and 86% of students have an optimistic outlook for the future.

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