Analysis: Academic Stress and Coping Strategies Among Exchange Students and Japanese Students

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My research topic:     Academic Stress and Coping Strategies Among Exchange Students and Japanese Students 

Target:     Exchange and Japanese students 

Number of respondents:     16 exchange students, 15 Japanese students 

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 General Information 

 Most of the participants were in their 3rd or 4th academic year. 

 Roughly 42% of those surveyed study in a field related to humanities. The second largest percentage at roughly 32% is business/economics. 

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 Questions related to Academic Stress 

 The results are surprisingly quite equal, with most answering between 2 and 3 on the scale. 

 Answers were heavily skewed towards the latter half of the scale, with most answering between 2 and 3. 

 Most answered that their academic pressure stems from either predicted career options or standards set by oneself, with none choosing "friends". 

 18 of those surveyed believe that academic success is impactful on having a comfortable life. 

 Surprisingly and in contrast to other previously indicated beliefs, roughly 74% answered that they don't feel burnt out currently. 

 (optional question) Considering that most of those surveyed were in year 3 or 4 academically, it is unsurprising that the answers are skewed towards the first half of the scale. 

 Differing from cluster patterns of previous answers, the results of this question are highly divided, with answers mostly on either extreme side of the scale, with 13 answering that they felt a lot of pressure during their school years. 

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 Coping Strategies for Academic Stress 

 Coping strategies varied, with most answering that they start studying earlier in times of stress. 

 80% of those surveyed rely on social interaction by meeting up with friends to decompress after an academically stressful period. 

 Although globally it seems like universities are adapting to students' mental stress and implementing methods to alleviate stress, it seems that many participants have not been made aware of any possibilities. 

 (optional question) Of those who answered yes to the previous question, most specified that their universities established mental health support. 

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 Conclusion 

It seems that although most participants do feel academic and career-related pressure, many have personal coping strategies that prevent them from being burnt out, like adjusting their study plans by starting to revise earlier or meeting up with social safety nets such as friends to recuperate from academically stressful periods.

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