New Semester / Freshman Anxiety

The approach of fall means a new school year full of possibilities — and for some students, increased anxiety — as they navigate everything from academics and schoolwork to relationships and fitting in on campus.

Some level of nervousness is natural, but if stress levels rise too high and begin affecting performance and daily life, you should seek help.

Anxiety on campus

More than a third of college students in the United States reported suffering from an anxiety disorder in a survey of 96,000 individuals at 133 campuses during the 2021-22 school year.

While it can strike at any time during a student's college career, anxiety (as well as levels of depression and stress) tend to be highest during the freshman year. This often looks like a steady rise during the first semester to a plateau that remains high through the second semester.

Causes of new semester anxiety

College is full of unknowns, which can lead to anxiety when your mind fills in the gaps with fearful thoughts. These unknowns can relate to a number of areas including academics, personal relationships, and finding a place in the greater school community.

Academics

Students can often suffer from academic stress with classes that are harder and more work than what they have been used to. Tests and papers may be different and more demanding.

When anxiety gets too high, some students may feel as if they won't succeed no matter what they do, which leads to poor (or no) studying, bad grades, and a self-fulfilling prophecy.

An anxious student may also unduly worry about failing a class and what that will mean for their grade point average and financial aid.

Relationships

Relationships both old and new can be a challenge for some college students. They may experience separation anxiety as they embark on a new adventure without family members and long-term friends, who for years have helped provide support and a sense of identity.

Making new friends can be stressful as students feel self-conscious and critical of themselves. They might think they are awkward and worry interactions with others won't be successful. This can lead to not even wanting to try to get to know others and becoming isolated.

Campus culture

Fitting in is important at any age, but especially so for teens and young adults. Some can struggle to find their place socially and in activities on campus. They may also experience a heightened sense of peer pressure now that there is less adult oversight.

Other students may participate in underage drinking, illegal drug use, and more. They may feel forced to choose between fitting in with the crowd or doing the right thing at risk of being an outcast.

Getting help

For students struggling with anxiety on campus, it's important to take steps to combat it.

Avoiding stressful situations and interactions is not the answer and can make anxiety worse. Instead, take small steps like reaching out to a professor for help in a class or starting a conversation with another student.

Practice self-care by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep on a regular schedule.

If you're feeling academic pressure, a lack of meaningful connections with other students and professors, or are questioning whether you should even be attending college, a student support group with other students co-led by a mental health professional and a life coach, can help.

You can share your challenges, gain insight, learn from other people’s experiences and have the support you need to navigate your academic and social challenges.

If you are experiencing anxiety and are struggling at college, Ann Green, NP, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and Luke Perone, a university life development coach, invite you to join their support group designed specifically for students and held online with young adults from all over the country.