College Students' Academic and Career Success

Abstract

The chapter explores academic success and academic distress, noting that both high- and low-performing students experience academic distress. The multidimensional nature of academic distress is discussed, including worry about future performance; stress about current performance; low academic self-confidence; frustration; confusion; poor motivation; and excessive expectations, both self-imposed and other-imposed. Popular measures of academic distress among college students are presented. The chapter also presents information related to the prevalence and mental health predictors of academic distress and academic success. Attention is devoted to cultural considerations (e.g., gender and ethnicity) not only in academic distress and success but also in terms of starting salaries for college graduates. The chapter focuses on the prevention and remediation of academic problems by exploring typical campus resources that promote academic success, involvement in extracurricular activity and choosing a major that is suited to a student’s interests, abilities and values. The chapter concludes by focusing on several prominent theories of career development. For example, Super’s lifespan career development theory is covered, as is Holland’s person–environment theory and social-cognitive career theory.

Citation

Hayes, J.A. (2024), "College Students' Academic and Career Success", College Student Mental Health and Wellness: Coping on Campus, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 227-246. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83549-194-220241008