The Project has chosen to concentrate on these areas both because they are common and because they are likely to impair academic achievement. Both anxiety and depression are known to impair the ability to concentrate, and depression also affects motivation. Some degree of anxiety is inevitable for all of us and may indeed be both constructive and creative at times. However here are particular factors in universities which may exacerbate the situation. There is the transition to a new environment, often involving leaving home for the first time, or leaving one's country.
Many students cope well with the pressures and indeed rise to the challenge.
Too much anxiety may, however, be counterproductive and lead to an inability to study and cope with everyday stresses. Alcohol and drugs may be used as a way of trying to cope with anxiety symptoms and low mood. Reliance on alcohol and drugs as a way of coping with difficulties can in fact trigger further symptoms of anxiety and depression. A number of support systems are available at Nottingham University for students who become anxious or depressed, including the University Counselling Service, medical and psychiatric services. Unfortunately, students are often not referred to these services or do not refer themselves until the problems are severe.