In an effort to identify resources that aid graduate students in dealing with pressures and completing their degree, Grad Resources commissioned a survey of students currently pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. degree. 

According to the majority of survey respondents, primary areas of concern for graduate students include: maintaining balance between school and life, career success and financial pressures, followed closely by stress and burnout.

Of potential interest to campus health professionals, 43% of all graduate students reported experiencing more stress than they could handle. The percentage was significantly higher in particular areas of academic specialization – Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences. Nearly half of graduate students in these specialties reported more stress than they could handle. 45% of Ph.D. students also reported more stress than they could handle, versus 41% of Master’s level students. 

When faced with stress and other problems, relationships provided the greatest support with 90% of married graduate students finding help from their spouse, followed by 78% of students who sought support from peers and parents. More than two thirds of graduate students frequently turn inward when in need of insight or support. One third of graduate students turn to God or a higher power.

National Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week is April 4-8. There will be a variety of events and activities on various campuses across the country to bring attention to the influence of graduate students and the issues they face. It was begun by The National Association of Graduate and Professional Students. “What better time to talk about grad stresses than during Grad Week,” says Nick Repak, President of Grad Resources.

Grad Resources is a faith-based service organization based in Dallas, Texas that serves the overall needs of graduate students across the United States and around the world. Grad Resources offers students a wide variety of resources and support to manage the unique pressures of academia. For additional resources or for information about support communities on your campus for graduate students, contact your graduate council, your graduate Dean’s office or see: www.GradResources.org, www.NAGPS.org, www.HopeLine.com, and the National Grad Student Crisis-Line 800-GRAD-HLP (800-472-3457).

Contact:
Nick Repak, President
nick@gradresources.org
(972)-867-0188

Issue	%
Reaching an acceptable balance between school and life outside of school	59
Not being successful in your career	56
The financial pressures of being in graduate school	54
Stress or burnout	53
Your health	47
Failing to meet the expectations others have of you	43
Choosing the wrong career path	38
Not completing your degree	37
Your relationships with your professors	32
Your relationship with your peers	27
Feeling like an outsider, or that you do not belong	24
Growing your relationship with God or a higher power	24

Percent of Graduate Students Reporting Resources for Dealing with Stress “Somewhat Helpful” or “Very Helpful”

Resource	%
Your spouse	90
Your peers	78
Your parents or other family members	78
Listening to or playing music	78
Entertainment media like TV or movies	73
Visiting a special place that renews you	69
Social events	68
Participating in sports	61
Praying	57
Eating	50
Your professors	43
Reading holy or sacred literature	40
Counselors	33
Drinking alcohol	33
Chaplains or ministers	28
Recreational drugs	14

Source: Grad Resources, ©2010