Causes of students’ stress, its effects on their academic success, and stress management by students

This thesis examines the impact of stress on students’ academic performance and stress management among students of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. The main objectives were to ascertain or identify the extent to which stress affects students’ academic success, health and general lifestyle, as well as to in-quire and bring to light measures to counteract the effects of existing stress in students. A quantitative method was used in gathering and analysis the data. For this purpose, questionnaires were distributed to two students groups, who consisted of Finnish and international students. The results obtained show the different factors that cause stress among students. The factors were grouped into four, namely Relationship factors, Environmental factors, Academic factors, and Personal factors. With respect to Relationship factors, working with new people was the main cause of stress for students in both groups. In the case of Environmental factors, worries about the future was the main factor causing stress among students, whereas class workload was the main element of stress with regard to the Academic factors. In the category of Personal factors, financial problems caused most stress to students. Stress can, however, be managed through the introduction of a stress management course and engaging in extracurricular activities