For some Syracuse University students, the transition from the beach to the books might be harder than ever before.

According to a study conducted by Dr. Robert P. Gallagher of the University of Pittsburgh, more than 80 percent of college campuses have noted an increase in psychological problems, including severe stress, panic attacks and anxiety.

Stress is no stranger to the SU campus.

‘Stress has always been an issue,’ said Susan Pasco, assistant director of the Campus Counseling Center. ‘Anecdotally, my experience has been that college students feel more pressure about performance, achievement and their expectations.’

Pasco, who has worked in the counseling profession for more than 13 years, said that stress is caused by a number of factors, not just poor time-management skills.

Kathleen Vanvechten, the director of nursing at the SU Health Center, has seen the effects of stress in students who come in, and is concerned about the freshman class.

‘It’s hard to go from a structured high school schedule to a non-structured college environment,’ Vanvechten said.

The Health Center advises students to get involved in physical activities. First-year students might not know the importance of physical exertion, according to Vanvechten.

‘Exercise by virtue of getting the blood flowing helps reduce the effects of stress,’ Vanvechten said. ‘And tension helps relax the mind.’

Some students, such as Sonja Olson, have discovered the benefits of physical exercise without using the campus resources.

Olson, a senior in the School of Management, said playing field hockey provides a way to get out and let out frustration.

The counseling center also provides advice to students who are looking to cope with stress.

‘We might do this by teaching relaxation skills, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation practice,’ Pasco said.

Beyond health problems, Vanvechten is also concerned about students abusing substances to escape their stress. In a study of SU students conducted in 1999, 37.4 percent of students believe alcohol makes it easier to deal with stress. The university deals with substance abuse through its Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Health Enhancement.

‘It’s routine to ask about substance abuse when [students] say, ‘I’m stressed,” Vanvechten said.

Students might not be able to eliminate stress from their day, but they can consult Recreational Services, Campus Counseling and Health Services to help minimize it, Vanvechten said.

‘We all work together to keep students involved and healthy,’ she said.

Published on August 28, 2003 at 12:00 pm