Academic stress is an inevitable part of student life, especially in a competitive academic environment. Recognising this, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) established the KNUST Counselling Centre (KCC) to help students navigate academic challenges and mental well-being.

For many students, stress management is a personal journey that involves different coping strategies. Elizabeth Yankey, a Level 100 Biological Science student, shared her approach to relieving academic stress.

"When I want to release academic stress, I just rest or listen to music to help me calm down, or I just walk around," she said.

She is also aware of the Counselling Centre on campus and sees it as a valuable resource.

"I know of the KNUST Counselling Centre in my college, and I think it is very helpful. I might go there someday," she added.

Agnes Arthur, a first-year Physics student, acknowledged feeling the pressure of assignments and meeting deadlines.

"When I am stressed by deadlines, I just take a break and watch some movies that will boost my mind," she revealed.

Though she has heard of the Counselling Centre, she has not yet visited.

"I’ve heard of the Counselling Centre, but I haven’t been there before. Maybe someday I will," she admitted.

For Melvin Smith, a first-year Political Science student, he takes a proactive approach to avoiding academic stress.

"I make timetables for each day and create study schedules, so I don’t get easily stressed," he shared.

However, when he does feel overwhelmed, he has a simple solution.

"Sometimes I walk around to refresh my mind," he added.

While personal coping mechanisms can be helpful, experts underline the importance of seeking professional support when academic pressures become overwhelming. Mrs. Bernice Serwaah Ofosuhene Peasah, Senior Counsellor at KCC, underscores the need for students to seek help.

“We encourage students to come to the KCC whenever they are stressed. Sometimes these academic stresses are mostly time management issues,” she explained.

She further highlighted the Centre’s commitment to helping students navigate academic stress through various initiatives.

“The Centre has enrolled most programmes that help students manage these challenges. We mostly have podcast sessions at the KNUST E-learning Centre on managing anxieties, psychoeducation, and other related topics to help them advance in their academic life,” she noted.

Stress, she pointed out, can manifest in different ways, and students should not hesitate to utilise the available resources for guidance and relief.

Beyond individual strategies, the presence of structured support systems like KCC provides an essential safety net for students navigating university life. Whether it’s taking a walk, watching a movie, or seeking counselling, the key takeaway is that help is available, and no student has to go through it alone.