What Is the Biggest Health Concern for College Students?
Alright. So, you know, how everyone's always talking about, like, sending their kid off to college Mhmm. And all the things you worry about. Like, are they gonna eat right? Or are they gonna, like, you know, get sick in those dorms?
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 1:So today, we're doing a deep dive into what the actual biggest health concern is for college students.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And it's probably not what you think.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Exactly.
Speaker 2:Oh, I mean, it's not to say that those things are important, like physical health.
Speaker 1:Right. Of course.
Speaker 2:But all the sources we're looking at today point to mental well-being as, like, the number one concern.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That's what really surprised me too.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Like, I was expecting it to be more, you know, about the typical getting sick or whatever.
Speaker 2:Right. Yeah. Like, the freshman 15 or something.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Exactly.
Speaker 2:But it's, like, serious stuff we're talking about here.
Speaker 1:Okay. So, like, what are we talking about then when we say mental well-being?
Speaker 2:Well, the sources are highlighting, like, really high levels of stress and anxiety in college students.
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:And it's not just, like, you know, first time away from home jitters.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It's like the kind of stress that affects everything. You know?
Speaker 1:Yeah. Their grades and, like
Speaker 2:Their grades. Yeah. Their relationships, how they feel about themselves.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow. That's intense.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's a big deal.
Speaker 1:So, like, why is this happening?
Speaker 2:Well, it seems like it's a few things all coming together at once. You know? Okay. So first, there's the academic pressure.
Speaker 1:Makes sense.
Speaker 2:I mean, they've got, like, huge workloads, and everyone's competing.
Speaker 1:And it's like everyone's always worried about getting good grades.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that fear of failure is, like, constant.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And then on top of that, you've got all the social stuff.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 1:It's like they're figuring out new relationships. Maybe they're away from home for the first time Mhmm. And, like, trying to fit in and all that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's a whole new social landscape.
Speaker 1:And the sources were saying that money's a big stressor too.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. Huge.
Speaker 1:It's like college is so expensive.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:And they're worried about tuition and, like, just living expenses. Mhmm. And then they're also thinking about, like, getting a job after they graduate.
Speaker 2:Yeah. The future is, like, looming over them.
Speaker 1:Right. And it's like, how are they supposed to do all that and still get enough sleep?
Speaker 2:Yeah. The sources had some pretty crazy stats about sleep deprivation in college students.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. Like, over 70% of them aren't getting enough sleep.
Speaker 2:It's wild. Right?
Speaker 1:And, I mean, if you think about it, they're up late, studying, partying, maybe even working a part time job. Right. It's like, no wonder they're exhausted.
Speaker 2:It's like a recipe for burnout.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And then you know what happens when you're burned out?
Speaker 2:What's that?
Speaker 1:You don't eat right.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. For sure.
Speaker 1:It's like they're grabbing whatever's quick and easy or, like, skipping meals altogether because they're so busy.
Speaker 2:And that just makes everything worse.
Speaker 1:You know? Yeah. It's like this whole vicious cycle. Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 1:And then the sources bring up another big issue, which is substance use.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Like alcohol and drugs and even vaping are all pretty common in college.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And it's easy to just be like, oh, kids will be kids.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But these sources are saying we need to look deeper.
Speaker 1:Okay. I like that.
Speaker 2:Like, could it be that they're using these things to cope with all the stress and anxiety?
Speaker 1:That's a good point.
Speaker 2:Because if they don't have healthy coping mechanisms, they might turn to unhealthy ones.
Speaker 1:And vaping is especially tricky
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 1:Because it seems so harmless.
Speaker 2:Right. It's like it's just flavoring.
Speaker 1:But the sources are really clear about the risks.
Speaker 2:There are serious health risks, and it can be really addictive.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So we need to take this seriously.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. It's a wake up call for all of us.
Speaker 1:Definitely. And we're gonna keep digging into all of this as we go deeper into these sources.
Speaker 2:Yeah. There's a lot more to uncover.
Speaker 1:You know, we always hear about how college is supposed to be, like, the best years of your life.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But it seems like these sources are painting kind of a different picture.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's like this whole idea of college being carefree and fun.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:It doesn't really match up with the reality that a lot of students are facing.
Speaker 1:No. It doesn't. And I think one of the things that makes it even harder is technology.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. That's a good point.
Speaker 1:Because on the one hand, it's such a big part of their lives Mhmm. But it also seems like it could make stress and anxiety so much worse. Mhmm. It's like this constant pressure to be connected.
Speaker 2:Right. And then you've got social media.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. Don't even get me started on social media.
Speaker 2:It's like this breeding ground for comparison and self doubt.
Speaker 1:Seriously, it's like everyone's always posting these perfect pictures, and it makes it seem like everyone else has it all figured out.
Speaker 2:And you're just sitting there like, what am I doing wrong?
Speaker 1:Exactly. But then the sources were also saying that technology can be a good thing too.
Speaker 2:Right. It's like a double edged sword.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Because it gives them access to mental health resources and support groups and stuff. And
Speaker 2:there are even apps specifically for stress management.
Speaker 1:So it's really all about balance. Right?
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:Like, teaching them how to use technology in a healthy way.
Speaker 2:Exactly. How to set boundaries and prioritize their well-being.
Speaker 1:And while we're talking about preparing them for college Yeah. The sources were also saying that it's important to teach them some basic life skills.
Speaker 2:Oh, for sure.
Speaker 1:Like, beyond just academics.
Speaker 2:Totally.
Speaker 1:Things like time management.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Stress management. Crucial. Effective communication. So important. It's like those practical skills that no one really teaches you, but you need them to survive in the real world.
Speaker 2:Then in college.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:Because you know they're not gonna have mom and dad there to do everything for them anymore.
Speaker 1:Right. They need to be able to manage their time and deal with stress and communicate their needs effectively.
Speaker 2:And one source I found talked about this idea of encouraging a growth mindset.
Speaker 1:Oh, I like that.
Speaker 2:It's about teaching them to see challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Because Yeah. Let's be real. College is gonna throw some curve balls their way.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:But it's all about how they approach those challenges. You know?
Speaker 2:Just exactly.
Speaker 1:Do they let them get them down, or do they learn from them and bounce back?
Speaker 2:It's about building resilience.
Speaker 1:Right. And the sources were also saying that having a sense of purpose is really important.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 1:Because when you know why you're doing something, it's easier to stay motivated even when things get tough.
Speaker 2:It's like having that inner drive that keeps you going.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And I think we can help our kids find that purpose by encouraging them to explore their passions and figure out what they're good at.
Speaker 2:Mhmm. And one source had this really great quote about reframing success.
Speaker 1:Oh, tell me more about that.
Speaker 2:It was saying that success isn't just about grades or getting into a fancy college.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:It's about finding the right fit for you and pursuing your interests and developing into a well rounded person.
Speaker 1:I love that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's about expanding our definition of success.
Speaker 1:Because it's not one size fits all. Nope. And it's not just about the end goal. It's about the journey.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:It's about all the skills they learn and the experiences they have and the personal growth they go through along the way.
Speaker 2:So it's really a holistic approach to education and well-being.
Speaker 1:It is.
Speaker 2:It's about nurturing the whole person, not just their academic side.
Speaker 1:And that requires a shift in mindset for everyone involved
Speaker 2:Oh, sure.
Speaker 1:Like, for the students and for the parents and educators who support them.
Speaker 2:Right. We need to create this culture of support and encouragement.
Speaker 1:Where it's okay to struggle and ask for help and define success on your own terms.
Speaker 2:I think that's a great place to leave off for now.
Speaker 1:Yeah. This has been a really insightful conversation.
Speaker 2:It has.
Speaker 1:And I'm realizing that a lot of these insights apply to all of us. Oh, absolutely. Just college students. Yeah. Like these principles of well-being and resilience and finding purpose.
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 1:They're relevant for everyone no matter what stage of life you're in.
Speaker 2:That's so true.
Speaker 1:And that's the beauty of learning. Yeah. There's always something new to discover and reflect on and apply to our own lives. Exactly. So we were just talking about how important it is for parents to, you know, stay involved in their kids' lives even when they're away at college.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Like, you're not just dropping them off and then, like, forgetting about them.
Speaker 1:Right. Exactly.
Speaker 2:It's about staying connected and being there for them.
Speaker 1:But, like, I know life gets busy.
Speaker 2:It does.
Speaker 1:So how do we actually do that?
Speaker 2:Well, the sources were saying that even small gestures can make a big difference.
Speaker 1:Okay. Like, what kind of gestures?
Speaker 2:Like, just a quick phone call or sending a care package. Oh, yeah.
Speaker 1:Or even just a text, you know, just to let them know you're thinking of them.
Speaker 2:That's nice.
Speaker 1:It doesn't have to be anything big or fancy.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But those little things can really go a long way in making them feel loved and supported.
Speaker 2:And I think it's also a good opportunity to kind of check-in with them and see how they're really doing.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. For sure.
Speaker 2:Because sometimes, you know, they try to put on a brave face when they're talking to their parents.
Speaker 1:Yeah. They don't wanna worry you.
Speaker 2:Exactly. But if we're paying attention, we can usually pick up on those little signs that something might be off.
Speaker 1:Like, maybe they're not as talkative as usual.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But they seem a little down.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And that's when we need to dig a little deeper.
Speaker 1:It is.
Speaker 2:Like, ask them some open ended questions and really listen to what they have to say.
Speaker 1:And listen without judgment.
Speaker 2:Yes. That's so important.
Speaker 1:Because if they feel like they're being judged, they're less likely to open up.
Speaker 2:Right. It's about creating that safe space for them to share whatever's going on.
Speaker 1:Exactly. Whether it's good or bad. And one thing the sources really emphasized was setting realistic expectations.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. That's a good one.
Speaker 1:Because college is a huge adjustment.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:And they're not gonna have everything figured out right away. Nope. They're gonna make mistakes and have setbacks.
Speaker 2:Mhmm. It's all part of the learning process.
Speaker 1:It is. And that's where our patience and encouragement come in.
Speaker 2:Totally.
Speaker 1:Instead of criticizing them, we need to support them and help them learn from their experiences.
Speaker 2:And celebrate their achievements.
Speaker 1:Yes. No matter how small they might seem.
Speaker 2:Right. Because success looks different for everyone.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:We need to let go of our own ideas about what success should look like.
Speaker 1:And focus on their individual growth and their effort.
Speaker 2:Yeah. One source talked about equipping them with the tools to navigate challenges independently.
Speaker 1:I like that.
Speaker 2:It's about teaching them how to problem solve and seek help when they need it and advocate for themselves.
Speaker 1:Because those are skills that will help them throughout their lives.
Speaker 2:Definitely. It's not just about getting through college.
Speaker 1:It's about setting them up for success in the long run.
Speaker 2:This has been such a great deep dive.
Speaker 1:It has.
Speaker 2:I feel like we've learned so much.
Speaker 1:Me too. And I think the biggest takeaway for me is that it's not just about academics.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:It's about the whole person.
Speaker 2:Their mental health, their physical health, their social connections, their sense of purpose.
Speaker 1:It's all connected.
Speaker 2:And it takes all of us working together to create a supportive environment where students can thrive.
Speaker 1:Couldn't have said it better myself.
Speaker 2:Thanks for joining us on this deep dive.
Speaker 1:We'll be back soon with more interesting conversations and insightful explorations.
Speaker 2:Until then, stay curious.
