Students’ Perspectives on Academic Pressure and Mental Health

Abstract

This study examines the impact of academic pressure on the mental health of university students, focusing on stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 100 students through a structured questionnaire incorporating standardized measures of academic pressure, stress, and depression. Descriptive statistics and independent t-tests were employed to analyse group differences. The findings show that higher levels of academic pressure are strongly associated with increased psychological distress, indicating that students experiencing heavy workloads and performance expectations report significantly higher stress and anxiety. Gender-based comparisons revealed no statistically significant differences in perceived academic pressure or mental-health outcomes, suggesting that academic demands affect male and female students similarly. These results reinforce existing evidence on the psychological consequences of intensive academic environments. The study highlights the need for institutions to enhance mental-health support, implement stress-reduction strategies, and review academic structures. Limitations include the small sample size and reliance on self-reported data.