College students are worried and stressed, according to a Gallup report published in early August.

A panel of 2,430 undergraduate students at U.S. institutions in the spring of 2023 were asked about what emotions they felt the previous day. Roughly 3 out of 4 students (76%) reported enjoyment. However, 2 out of 3 students (66%) reported feeling stressed, and over half (51%) reported feeling worried. 

Other emotions tracked by the survey were loneliness (39%), sadness (36%) and anger (25%).

The report also found that women were more likely to experience negative emotions. Women reported feeling more stress (76% women, 56% men) and worry (56% of women, 40% of men) than men. 

The only emotion that men reported experiencing more frequently than women was enjoyment (26% of men, 24% of women), which was also the smallest gender divide reported. The report found no significant difference in other factors recorded, such as racial group or first-generation student status.

The findings fall in line with other current research in American mental health, with self-reported statuses being at an all-time low. These findings are also in line with the Lumina Foundation-Gallup State of Higher Education 2022 study, which found emotional stress to be a major reason students considered dropping out. 

“Feelings of stress, worry, loneliness and sadness have challenged higher education institutions in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and they are likely to continue into the fall,” says Zach Hrynowski and Stephanie Marken, Gallup research consultants. “Incoming students require significant support to overcome the stressors they will face to be able to complete their postsecondary experience and launch successfully into life after graduation.”

For the full report, click