You were so proud of your child when they went off to college.

After all, they had gotten into the school of their choice and they seemed excited to start the next chapter in their lives.

Yet, now there’s something different about them. They seem more withdrawn and closed-off.

When you send an email or a text message, they don’t respond like they used to. Plus, their grades at the end of the first semester were much lower than before.

What happened?

It could be that your child is struggling with a mental illness such as depression.

We don’t always realize that academic pressure and depression can be at work. But if you suspect that your young adult is struggling with the stress of depression, read on to learn more about this condition.

The Foundation of Academic Pressure and Depression

When you think about it, the foundation for academic pressure associated with depression and college students is laid long before your student gets their acceptance letter. For many, the pressure to be academically successful can go all the way back to elementary school.

And in many of those cases, their whole academic career has been focused on one goal: getting into a reputable college or university.

Now that they have arrived, they’re dealing with even more stress trying to meet those high expectations. As it goes with many people when they face a lot of outside pressure, it’s not unheard of that college students can subsequently develop depression due to excessive demands.

Consider some of them in detail:

Needing to Find a Good Job

A big reason why college students face academic pressure and depression is anxiety over their future after graduation. They are receiving messages from their parents, peers, and even the schools themselves that they need to be professionally successful.

“Success” can be a loaded word, but usually, it is associated mostly with making money.

There can also be practical considerations as well. Your student may have taken out loans to pay for college. Knowing that they will have to pay these loans back only intensifies the pressure to be academically successful now in order to find a good job after graduation.

Confronting the Sheer Amount of Work

College students face heavy workloads each semester. This is especially true if they are taking a higher number of credit hours.

Generally, for every credit hour that you spend in the classroom, it’s suggested you study for 2-3 hours. Plus, not all that time is spent studying. There are papers to write and research projects to complete. And for those graduating, they may have to complete a senior thesis.

All this contributes to a heavy workload for students and consistent pressure that does not let up.

Having Very High Expectations

Sometimes, the pressure to do well and be successful in college comes from the student themselves. In fact, there may be no other outside influences at all.

This inner pressure can come from having a perfectionist mindset, as well as a strong need for control. Anything less than an A+ can be devastating. In fact, a lower grade can actually cause the student to become depressed.

On the surface, they appear to be incredibly successful—great grades, an enviable GPA, and active in athletics and clubs. However, deep down inside there is this fear of failure and an incessant need to be successful.

How to Help Students Dealing with Academic Pressure and Depression

Attending college is a rewarding and enriching experience for many students. Yet, there are those who get caught in the trap of academic pressure. The stress that they experience from others—and, at times, put on themselves—can lead to depression if ignored.

The best way to help these students is to ensure they receive individual counseling for their depression. Although they may already have a high workload of other students who need help, the campus health office is a great place to start. Or your student can work with a therapist who specializes in depression.

Either way, it’s important that they get the support they need.

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If you are concerned about your student, consider helping them get depression treatment from a qualified counselor. Please feel free to contact me.