45% of College Students Predict Anxiety, Stress Will Be Their Biggest Challenge This Year

The Study.com survey also asked college students about ways their schools can support them when they are feeling stressed or anxious.

Published: March 20, 2025Author: Amy Rock

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Nearly half of college students predict stress and anxiety will be their top challenge this year, according to a recent study.

Study.com surveyed 200 undergraduate students on Feb. 19 about their predictions for their college education in 2025, including what they anticipate their biggest obstacles will be. Respondents predicted their top three challenges will be finances and student debt (50%), anxiety and stress (45%), and balancing school and work (33%).

One Survey.com participant said, “I feel I might have to stop attending school due to being overwhelmed.” Another stated, “One prediction I have about this next school year is things are going to be hectic, and students are increasingly taking on more and more classes and a lot of students are overwhelmed.”

RELATED: What’s Causing Stress and Anxiety Among College Students?

Various national surveys show a significant increase in stress and anxiety among young people, impacting learning outcomes and retention rates. Recent data from Inside Higher Ed’s 2024 Student Voice survey found two in five students feel their mental health is impacting their ability to focus, learn, and perform academically. One in ten students also rated their mental health as poor.

Another 2024 survey from Active Minds found 64.7% of college students report feeling lonely, and students who report feeling lonely are over four times more likely to experience severe psychological distress. A more recent survey, released in Nov. 2024 by TimelyCare, found 71% of students ages 18 to 24 experience mental health challenges — up from 65% in July 2024.

Study.com survey participants also voiced strong opinions on ways their school can support their well-being, which include:

Stress and time management workshops (50%)
Mental health counseling (44%)
More flexibility in deadlines and coursework (43%)
Financial literacy support (39%)
Increased access to academic advising (33%)
Career or financial counseling (29%)

“These priorities align closely with students’ biggest concerns for 2025,” the study’s authors wrote. “Workshops on stress and time management directly address the anxiety and burnout many students anticipate, while financial literacy support could help students navigate tuition costs, student loans, and budgeting challenges.”