With the back-to-school bustle underway for the fall, many students have hit the ground running. As the work load begins to pile up and studio projects commence, anxiety and stress also sneak their way into the forefront. How can the architecture student tackle this intrusion?

Nicole LeBlanc, MA. and Luana Marques, Ph.D. have some insights. In their Harvard Health article, the pair delineate the current research concerning anxiety in college. Some findings are:

• It's quite common. A 2018 study conducted by the American College Health Association showed that "63% of college students in the U.S. felt overwhelming anxiety in the past year." The study also found that 23% of students "reported being diagnosed or treated by a mental health professional for anxiety in the past year." LeBlanc and Marques highlight the fact that the bulk of anxiety amongst students tends to be during the initial transition into college. For the design student, first year does indeed prove to be a formidable adjustment. 
• Anxiety is caused by many factors. Workload isn't the only factor that contributes to stress in school. LeBlanc and Marques address this: "sleep disruption caused by drinking excess caffeine and pulling all-nighters is associated with increased anxiety among college students," they write. 

The two researchers also propose some ways to cope with anxiety in college:

• Don't avoid the challenge. Instead of skipping class or staying in bed all day in an effort to escape stressful situations, it is recommended to take incremental steps to address them. "If you're struggling in a class, try emailing the professor for help," the authors suggest. This is a skill that takes practice and can help cultivate a healthy academic career.
• Take care of yourself. In architecture school especially, it can be easy to neglect our personal health. "Many students struggle to maintain healthy eating habits, consistent exercise, and regular sleep...," LeBlanc and Marques write. The committed studio-goer can identify with the irregular sleep patterns, sporadic snacking, and effects of prolonged hunching at one's desk. As difficult as it might be, ensuring sufficient physical activity, good sleep hygiene, and adequate nutrition can contribute greatly to our performance and peace of mind while in school. Yes, it takes away from studio, but will heighten the quality of the work produced.
• Seek support and help on campus. Most colleges have resources for students in the form of advisors, counselors, and even student-led groups. Facing challenging circumstances is always better when there are others to lean on and share the experience with.

In the end, most students want to perform well, become better designers, and learn and grow in their area of focus. For aspiring architects, dealing with anxiety is an important skill that will also be needed in professional life. School may be the perfect place to begin mastering it.