Under Pressure: The Mental Toll of Exam Stress on Campus

By Wambui Purity

As the final weeks of the semester approach, a quiet tension begins to settle over college and campuses. What was once a vibrant hub of activity transforms into a space of quiet anxiety. Students shuffle between the library and lecture halls with tired eyes, laptops glow late into the night and the energy in the air becomes thick with urgency. Exam season has arrived and with it, a surge in academic stress that affects nearly every student not only in terms of performance but mental health as well.

For many students, exams are far more than assessments of knowledge. They represent the culmination of weeks, sometimes months of preparation, pressure and silent fear. This stress manifests in countless ways that is :fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances and in some cases complete emotional burnout. The weeks leading up to finals are often marked by irregular sleep patterns, increased consumption of caffeine or energy drinks and unhealthy habits formed under the guise of productivity.

Behind the late-night cramming sessions and competitive drive lies a deeper more troubling reality academic stress is contributing to a growing mental health crisis on campuses. Though stress can serve as a motivator in moderation, it becomes harmful when prolonged or intense. The body’s stress response designed for short bursts of activity, becomes overwhelmed during extended periods like exam week. Hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline flood the body making it difficult to focus, regulate emotions or sleep soundly.

Sleep often sacrificed in the name of last-minute revision, plays a critical role in memory retention and emotional stability. When students deprive themselves of rest, they may find it harder to recall studied material, process information efficiently or keep anxiety in check. The irony is stark: in their quest to succeed, students often sabotage the very conditions necessary for success.

This period of academic pressure doesn’t just affect mental clarity, it also disrupts social connections. As exams approach, students tend to isolate themselves from their support systems. Social interactions become limited or vanish entirely as studying takes precedence over everything else. Friendships, relationships and even basic communication with family can fall by the wayside. The emotional effects of this self-imposed isolation are often underestimated. Loneliness, irritability and feelings of helplessness can intensify when students have no outlet for their stress.

For some, the coping mechanisms adopted during exam season are beneficial. Structured study schedules, physical activity, mindfulness exercises or short breaks with friends can provide balance. Unfortunately, many students instead fall into less healthy patterns. Some rely on stimulants like caffeine pills or prescription drugs to stay awake and alert believing that performance is all that matters. Others may turn to alcohol or recreational drugs in a misguided attempt to unwind after long study sessions. These choices may offer temporary relief but often lead to greater mental health struggles down the road.

Campus mental health services, though increasingly common, are frequently overwhelmed during this period. Many institutions have invested in counseling centers, peer support groups, and awareness campaigns. However, during peak academic periods, these resources can become difficult to access. Students may face long wait times for appointments or feel that their concerns are too minor to justify reaching out for help. Some never seek support at all deterred by stigma or the belief that stress is simply part of the academic experience.

While all students experience stress in some form, those from marginalized backgrounds often face additional burdens. First-generation college students, those dealing with financial insecurity and international students may carry heightened expectations and fewer resources. For these students, the stakes can feel impossibly high. In some cases, the fear of failure goes beyond disappointing oneself it can mean letting down a family or jeopardizing a future that others have invested in.

The culture of academic perfection only exacerbates this pressure. Students are praised for pushing through exhaustion, for overworking, for showing up despite being emotionally or physically drained. Breaks are seen as indulgent and self-care is often dismissed as laziness. This glorification of burnout as a badge of honor can have devastating consequences particularly during high-stress academic periods.

Despite these challenges, change is slowly unfolding. Some universities have begun rethinking the way exams are structured, integrating more continuous assessment and reducing the reliance on final tests. Others have incorporated wellness into the curriculum, offering credit-bearing courses on mental health literacy and stress management. Technology has also played a role with mental health apps and virtual therapy platforms helping bridge the gap when in person services are unavailable.

Nevertheless, these solutions are not yet widespread and for most students, exam week remains a time of immense pressure. The mental and emotional cost of academic success is too often overlooked even as signs of strain become more visible with each passing semester.

In the rush to meet deadlines and earn top marks, students sometimes forget to ask themselves a critical question: not “How much can I get done today?” but “How am I actually doing?” As another exam season looms, the answer to that question may be more important than any grade on a transcript.