Date of Award
5-12-2025
Major
Social Work
Faculty Advisor
Jyotsna Kapur
Abstract
Coping and connecting are two things that college students don’t take a course in but are essential qualities they will need beyond their time in the university, in both work and life. This research sought to understand how students at Southern Illinois University, with special focus on Honors students, experience stress and view connection as a coping mechanism. It gives insights into sources of stress, including pressures that are external to university life and impact student mental health. The participants included SIUC Honors Students and SIU Non-Honors Students. I was also able to ask each group of students their perceptions of honors programs and if they feel that academic expectations of Honors programs generated a sense of competition, whether internally with oneself or externally with others.