By STEVEN K. WAGNER

In a recent study, 30 percent of freshmen at the University of Maryland reported feeling "frequently overwhelmed" by all that they have to do. Across the country, a nationwide study by experts at UCLA found that first-year college students feel more stressed than ever before.

From campus to campus the results are similar: student stress is on the rise. Claremont McKenna College is no exception.

From 1995 to 2000, the median SAT score for freshmen entering CMC rose from 1,310 to 1,400, translating to heightened classroom competition—and stress. Though still remarkably low, the number of students accused of cheating increased 50% last year—from 14 incidents to 21. And, following the World Trade Center attack, two students from New York dropped out of school.

Individually, such statistics might raise some eyebrows. But, put them together and a picture emerges. Indeed, student stress is something to reckon with.

Not that there isn’t stress at all colleges and universities, where up to half of student contacts at campus counseling centers may involve stress, according to Delores E. Mack, director of the Monsour Counseling Center. It begins in the fall when students are confronted with a variety of issues, particularly the need to do well from the get-go. It continues when midterms roll around. Even after year-end finals the stress remains, as students seek summer or career employment. Sandwiched in-between are trips to and from the comfort of home, the continuing temptation of alcohol and drugs, and an emerging individuality that sometimes flies against long-held beliefs.

"Some stress is a good thing, it’s a motivator," said Diane Halpern, professor of psychology at CMC. "When it gets to the mid level, stress begins to get more debilitating."

According to Halpern, manifestations run the gamut, from headaches and sleeplessness to eating disorders and substance abuse. When all is said, students who deal with stress improperly can find themselves in a bad way—even out of school, either due to poor grades or suspension. It’s a paradox: stress that arises as students try to achieve good grades can ultimately cause their downfall.

Certainly, all students everywhere experience some stress. Better students put pressure on themselves to continue doing well, while others add stress to their lives by not keeping up with their peers, Halpern said.

According to Jefferson Huang, associate dean of students and dean of campus life, the level of stress may be higher at Claremont McKenna College, where rising SAT scores have ratcheted up classroom competition in recent years.

"While the vast majority of students are honest, academic integrity issues have been surfacing more this past year," Huang said.

According to Huang, there are several reasons for that. One is increased faculty attentiveness. Another is the increase in scholastic competition reflected by the jump in SAT scores.

To reverse those numbers, CMC will address the issue in strong terms during 2002. Incoming students will be told that certain internet search engines make plagiarism easier to detect. Clear reminders about the avenues available to them when stress becomes hard to handle will be given to them. Inside the classroom, assignments may be made more unique and specific, making it more difficult to find ready-made answers and entire term papers on the internet.

The hope is to help students toe the line when the pressure for good grades becomes overwhelming.

At CMC, Huang’s office is often the point of entry for students under stress. Perhaps 10 to 15 times each month, students come to Huang with problems that at some level translate to stress. Those may include roommate issues, family illness…and difficulties in the classroom.

If additional help is needed, the Monsour Counseling Center comes into play. Open daily, the center is the counseling and mental health resource for all six of the Claremont colleges. Free services include short-term therapy, group counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, structured workshops and referrals within the community.

CMC also has a comprehensive chaplaincy program staffed by a protestant minister, catholic priest and rabbi. Each offers spiritual guidance and counseling.

According to Mack, students are bringing more serious problems to campus than ever before, resulting in heightened stress. These problems include character disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and even psychoses.

"The stress level has also increased," Mack said. "When I went to college the issues of political correctness , diversity, date rape and whether a job would be available simply weren’t thought about."

On September 11, student stress reached a high level across the country when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City. At CMC the reaction was immediate—and proactive. Huang personally contacted all students from New York and the surrounding states, offering any assistance he could give them. Classes were canceled that day and later in the week to allow students to attend planned religious observances. Panel discussions and forums to discuss the attack were scheduled. And, letters and advisories were written to students and staff by administrators.

Later, lectures focusing on 9/11 were organized and certain classes were redirected to include discussions about the event. In the eyes of CMC, education more than anything helps to allay fears—and stress.

What’s the solution? According to Halpern and student Freda Liu, a junior majoring in psychology who described her stress level as "above average," effective time and activity management are essential.

"I believe there are two things in a student’s life that cause stress: they’re either taking on too much or they’re procrastinating," Liu said.

Registrar Elizabeth Morgan offered some "simple" guidance.

"Put yourself on a schedule designed to keep you on top of your academic workload," she said. "Avoid procrastination and don't over-commit yourself. If you find yourself over-committed, re-evaluate your priorities and cut back on activities of lesser importance to you until you feel like you can handle the load again. If you can't figure out how to set priorities, or you can’t bring yourself to cut back on anything, seek the advice of a professional counselor."

Liu, a competitive ballroom dancer when she’s not hitting the books, may do just that, perhaps opting out of the activity to reduce the stress in her life.

The bottom line, according to Halpern and Huang: students should know ahead of time where to go for help, not put too much on their plate to begin with, know when stress is getting out of hand, and always take the high moral road. If they do all that, chances are they’ll succeed in college.

"The vast majority of our students got here by working hard and managing their time well," Huang said. "In the end, they’ll leave here a success by doing the exact same thing."