Do you know this? After the first few weeks of the semester, you look at your calendar and don’t know how you’re going to manage… Too many courses and too many presentations in too short a time and then you also want to have a social life. You also must cope with the exam phase. And all this preferably within the standard period of study and with good grades. Do you recognize yourself in this? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
A study conducted in 2017 by the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies, Techniker Krankenkasse and Freie Universität Berlin shows that one in four students in Germany report that they often feel very stressed and exhausted. [1] In 2016, the AOK Bundesverband published a study in cooperation with the University of Potsdam and the University of Hohenheim, which confirms this: 53% of the students surveyed stated that they suffered from a high level of stress. [2] Among other things, these figures are the result of various factors that many students experience on a daily basis, such as the pressure to perform imposed by examination regulations, teachers, parents and fellow students, exam anxiety, fear of the future, time pressure, experiences of discrimination at universities, as well as (self-)doubt and being overwhelmed by their studies.
“But don’t we all get stressed sometimes”? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Stress is an “alarm reaction of the body to a suspected or actual danger”, which sends a signal to the brain that a lot of energy is needed. As a result, stress hormones such as noradrenaline, adrenaline and cortisol are released, and the three phases of physical adaptation reactions are triggered[3]:
- The Alarm-Response Phase
The body begins to release stress hormones. This increases the heart rate, blood sugar level and blood pressure, breathing speeds up, the bronchial tubes expand, and the muscles are supplied with nutrients. During acute stress, the immune system is also activated and bodily processes (e.g. bladder activity) are reduced.[4]
- The Resistance Phase
In the resistance phase, “the body tries to adapt to a prolonged stress situation, i.e. chronic stress, and to cope with the ongoing pressure” [5]. Typical symptoms in this phase are, for example, high blood pressure or tension.
- The Exhaustion Phase
The exhaustion phase is accompanied by excessive demands. Performance and functionality deteriorate over time, making you more susceptible to pathogens. In addition, mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders or depression can occur.
An increased stress level over a longer period therefore has a negative effect on both mental and physical health. Stress during and after the exhaustion phase can lead to sleep problems, concentration problems, irritability, depression, tension, headaches, digestive problems, stomach pain, teeth grinding and shortness of breath. These symptoms can further develop into physical and chronic illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome or irritable stomach syndrome, gastritis, stomach ulcers or cardiovascular diseases.[6]
A study entitled “best 3”, published in December 2023 and conducted regularly by Deutsches Studierendenwerk[7], shows that for 22.6% of students with mental illnesses, the illness only emerged after the start of their studies. Overall, 15.9% of the students surveyed stated that they live with an impairment that makes studying difficult – 65.2% of them with mental illness.
Impairments that make studying difficult can lead to students taking a break from their studies, dropping out or changing their subject. According to the “best 3” study from 2023, 21.3% of students with a mental illness have already paused their studies or changed their subject, 28.3% have changed university and study location and 14.8% have completed their studies without graduating.
In 2023, a study on discrimination experienced by students at Ruhr-Universität Bochum was published, which underpins the figures of the “best 3” study[8]. According to the study by Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 13% of the students surveyed have an impairment that makes studying difficult, 65.8% of the impairments are mental illnesses. The study also shows that students with mental illnesses are significantly more frequently affected by discrimination on campus (28.9%) than students without mental illnesses (13.85%). Overall, 12.02% of all students with mental illness have already experienced discrimination due to their mental illness during their studies. This quickly creates a vicious circle, as experiences of discrimination trigger stress, which can lead to (further) mental illness, as described above. But shouldn’t universities be taking preventative action against discrimination against students with mental illnesses at this point?
The “best 3” study shows that students are dissatisfied with the services and opportunities for students with mental illnesses at universities and rarely apply for so-called “compensation for disadvantages” as this is associated with many bureaucratic hurdles. Fundamental reforms of the higher education system and targeted measures are needed to increase the compatibility of studying with impairments that make studying difficult and to reduce the negative health effects of studying for everyone. Necessary reforms would include, for example, reforms to examination regulations, an increase in funding and resources for (psychological) counselling services and the introduction of mandatory further training measures for teaching staff. Ruhr-University Bochum already offers the following support and counselling services for students with impairments that make studying difficult:
- Representative for the interests of students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses
The representative for the interests of students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses ensures that the applicable legal regulations are adequately observed when planning and organizing teaching and study conditions, when compensating for disadvantages in study and examination achievements and in the admission to studies. She is also the contact person for students with complaints.
- Autonomous department for people with disabilities and all impairments of the AStA (AR-MBSB)
The AR-MBSB of the AStA of Ruhr-University Bochum is the contact point for people with disabilities and other impairments. It represents the interests of those affected and their relatives in the context of the Ruhr University Bochum. The autonomous department is represented by elected students.
- RUB has collected various offers and dates on the topic of “Inclusion & Accessibility” on several websites, such as various networking and exchange meetings, regulars‘ tables, discussion groups and an overview of specific advisory services. You can find them here and here.
- Campus Neurodiverse and Visible at RUB
The student initiatives Campus Neurodivers and Visible at RUB are committed to making studying at the Ruhr-University Bochum and the University at all more inclusive.
- Peer Quartier / Psychological Student Advisory Service
In addition to confidential counselling services, the Peer Quarter and the Psychological Student Advisory Service offer various workshops and regular group sessions to support you with your studies and study organization (e.g. exam coaching or courses on public speaking). Since this semester, the Peer Quarter also offers the peer-to-peer mentoring program “P2P-Inklusiv” for students with visible/non-visible disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. You can find more information here.
- Safer Spaces
At RUB, safer spaces are regularly offered for various groups by various actors, such as the anti-discrimination office, BIPoC denken or Unser Campus.
- Centre for Science Didactics
At the Centre for Academic Didactics, you will find courses to help you write texts, organize your courses and prepare for exams during your studies. These courses can help you to reduce your anxiety about various tasks and submissions, as well as your study stress.
Are you missing an offer that we don’t yet know about or have forgotten? Then send us an email to unsercampus@rub.de and we will add it to this list.
Unfortunately, the campus is also not a place that is free from experiences of sexism and discrimination. As described above, both have a negative impact on mental and physical health. In the winter semester 23/24, OUR CAMPUS has already created a poster with an accompanying article to draw attention to the issue. You can find it here.
Have you experienced or observed discrimination and/or sexism at RUB? You can find contact persons, support and advice here, for example:
- Anti-discrimination office of the RUB
What advice is available? The RUB Anti-Discrimination Office is the central advice, mediation and information point for students, staff and other members of the university who experience or observe discrimination and have questions or need support on the subject.
In which languages is the advice offered? German & English
Appointments: From 2024 there will be regular consultation hours. These take place every Wednesday from 10am to 12am. Please register in advance at: antidiskriminierung@rub.de
- Central Equal Opportunities Office of the RUB
What advice is available? The Equal Opportunities Office and the Central Equal Opportunities Officers are the points of contact at RUB for all issues relating to equality and equal opportunities. The Equal Opportunities Office is also the point of contact for advice on experiences of discrimination based on sexual identity and gender.
In which languages is the advice offered? German & English
Appointments: Individual appointments can be arranged by email. Further information here. Counselling via Zoom is also possible!
- Psychological student counselling
What do you advise on? The Psychological Student Advisory Service provides support in the event of difficulties experienced by students and in dealing with students in difficult advisory situations, is the point of contact for students in crisis situations, offers information events on the topic of (mentally) healthy studying and provides training on the topic: “First point of contact in crisis situations – what to do?”
In which languages is the advice offered? German, English & Spanish (Please specify the desired language when making an appointment).
Appointments: by e-mail to psychberatung@rub.de and by telephone
Mondays, between 9-10 am on 0234 32 22343
Wednesdays, between 1-14 pm on 0234 32 23884
Fridays, between 9-10 am on 0234 32 23860
The counsellors are bound to confidentiality.
Sources:
Deutsches Studierendenwerk: „Viel mehr Studierende mit psychischen Erkrankungen“
https://www.studierendenwerke.de/beitrag/viel-mehr-studierende-mit-psychischen-erkrankungen (last accessed on 30.03.2025)
Deutsches Zentrum für Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsforschung, Techniker Krankenkasse, Freie Universität Berlin: „Faktenblatt zur Befragung „Gesundheit Studierender in Deutschland 2017““
https://www.ewi-psy.fu-berlin.de/psychologie/arbeitsbereiche/ppg/forschung/BwB/bwb-2017/_inhaltselemente/faktenblaetter/gesundheit/FB_Stress.pdf (last accessed on 02.04.2024).
Forschung & Lehre: „Wie belastet sind Studierende?“
https://www.forschung-und-lehre.de/zeitfragen/wie-belastet-sind-studierende-6268 (last accessed on 30.03.2025)
Freie Universität Berlin: „Zum Zusammenhang zwischen Studium und Gesundheit“
https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/healthy-campus/interventionsmanual/interventionsbeschreibungen/Website_Zum-Zusammenhang-zwischen-Studium-und-Gesundheit.pdf (last accessed on 30.03.2025)
gesund.bund: „Stress: Auswirkungen auf Körper und Psyche“ https://gesund.bund.de/stress (last accessed on 02.04.2025)
Hans Alves u.a.: „Studie zu Diskriminierungserfahrungen unter Studierenden der Ruhr-Universität Bochum“ https://news.rub.de/sites/default/files/diskriminierungserfahrungen_unter_studierenden.pdf (last accessed on 04.04.25)
Julia Steinkühler u.a.: „Die Studierendenbefragung in Deutschland: best3. Studieren mit einer gesundheitlichen Beeinträchtigung“, Dezember 2023 https://www.studierendenwerke.de/fileadmin/user_upload/beeintraechtigt_studieren_2021.pdf (last accessed on 31.03.2025)
Uta Herbst, u.a.: „Studierendenstress in Deutschland – eine empirische Untersuchung https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/md/journal/2016/10/08_projektbericht_stressstudie.pdf (last accessed on 02.04.2025)
SWR Wissen: „Psychische Erkrankungen: Zu wenig Unterstützung für Studierende“
https://www.swr.de/wissen/anteil-psychischer-erkrankungen-bei-studierenden-stark-angestiegen-100.html#:~:text=Immer%20mehr%20Studierende%20haben%20mit,Ende%20der%20Pandemie%20förmlich%20überrannt (last accessed on 30.03.2025)
[1] Cf.: Deutsches Zentrum für Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsforschung, Techniker Krankenkasse, Freie Universität Berlin: „Faktenblatt zur Befragung „Gesundheit Studierender in Deutschland 2017“ (https://www.ewi-psy.fu-berlin.de/psychologie/arbeitsbereiche/ppg/forschung/BwB/bwb-2017/_inhaltselemente/faktenblaetter/gesundheit/FB_Stress.pdf , last accessed on 02.04.2024).
[2] Uta Herbst, u.a.: „Studierendenstress in Deutschland – eine empirische Untersuchung (https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/md/journal/2016/10/08_projektbericht_stressstudie.pdf , last accessed on 02.04.2025)
[3] Cf.: gesund.bund: Stress: Auswirkungen auf Körper und Psyche (https://gesund.bund.de/stress , last accessed on 02.04.2025)
[4] Cf.: gesund.bund: Stress: Auswirkungen auf Körper und Psyche (https://gesund.bund.de/stress , last accessed on 02.04.2025)
[5] Cf.: gesund.bund: Stress: Auswirkungen auf Körper und Psyche (https://gesund.bund.de/stress , last accessed on 02.04.2025)
[6] Cf.: gesund.bund: Stress: Auswirkungen auf Körper und Psyche (https://gesund.bund.de/stress , last accessed on 02.04.2025)
[7] Julia Steinkühler u.a.: „Die Studierendenbefragung in Deutschland: best3. Studieren mit einer gesundheitlichen Beeinträchtigung“, Dezember 2023 (https://www.studierendenwerke.de/fileadmin/user_upload/beeintraechtigt_studieren_2021.pdf, last accessed on 31.03.2025).
[8] Hans Alves u.a.: Studie zu Diskriminierungserfahrungen unter Studierenden der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (https://news.rub.de/sites/default/files/diskriminierungserfahrungen_unter_studierenden.pdf ; last accessed on 04.04.25)