Reports of increased enrolments in universities worldwide suggest students

are taking up further study as a consequence of the global financial crisis.

While this may seem to be cause for celebration for the institutions, it also

could be a sign of trouble. Apart from the additional

stress on administrators and the larger volumes of

assignments for instructors to mark, the tasks of

student counseling services could also see a marked

increase. Younger students, who have never before

been exposed to the likes of the current economic

meltdown, may also be prone to depression, which

can lead to violence and suicide. While this could

be sufficiently stressful to induce their investment in

further qualifications, such anxiety associated with

low self-esteem may cause increased stress, which

combined with the pressures of paying for their studies

could result in a lethal mix of stressors.

By Staff