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Stress has been pumped up: more than 20% of first-year students have low mental stability
Almost one in four Russian first-year students has low or very low mental stability, according to data from the Federal Resource Center for Psychological Services in the Higher Education System. Moreover, students enrolled on the basis of the Unified State Exam and additional entrance tests are more mentally stable than those who enrolled in school Olympiads, psychologists say. Their emotional state negatively affects their academic performance, self-confidence, and relationships with others. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.
Causes of psychological problems of schoolchildren and students
Low and very low mental stability was found in almost 22% of Russian first—year students. Such data was provided in February 2026 by Tatiana Tikhomirova, PhD, researcher at the Federal Resource Center for Psychological Services in the Higher Education System of the Russian Academy of Education (RAE).
"We analyzed the data of 6.9 thousand first—year students in seven federal districts of the country," she said at the XXVII Congress of Pediatricians of Russia. — The study showed that 16.6% and 5.2% of students have low or very low levels of mental stability, respectively. The indicator varies depending on the university admission strategy. Students enrolled on the basis of the Unified State Exam and additional entrance tests are more mentally stable than those who enrolled based on the results of school Olympiads.
According to Tatiana Tikhomirova, this is due to the fact that Olympic athletes have been in a state of mental stress for a long time, starting in high school.
"This leads to increased sensitivity to external influences, loss of self—confidence, and decreased ability to overcome everyday difficulties," the expert noted.
The level of mental stability affects academic performance, Tatiana Tikhomirova emphasized. According to the results of the study, first-year students who remained in arrears after the exam session turned out to be less stable than their peers with excellent, good and satisfactory grades. In addition, young people with low mental stability have difficulty attending classes regularly and are more likely to conflict with teachers.
The number of requests from schoolchildren and students for psychological help is growing, Galina Laisheva, a clinical psychologist and curator of the Yasno service, confirmed to Izvestia.
"This is due to both the high academic workload and the greater openness of society to the topic of mental health," she explained.
Many first-year students start studying already in a state of emotional burnout, says Tatiana Pryakhina, psychologist, lecturer at RANEPA, specialist in the psychological platform Alter.
— This is the "marathon effect," she told Izvestia. — Unfortunately, the school system is more focused not on personal development, but on getting high scores. The condition is aggravated by the fact that children sacrifice rest for the sake of studying, the nervous system does not have time to recover. This leads to chronic exhaustion long before the "finish line". There is a huge demand for psychologists for schoolchildren during the preparation period for graduation and entrance exams.
At the same time, the university environment has become more attentive to the emotional state of students, and young people themselves more often perceive contacting a psychologist as a normal way to cope with stress, the expert believes.
— The low mental stability of first-year students is largely explained by a sudden change in context: moving to a new city, breaking friendships, increasing academic workload and high competition. And the age of 17-20 years in itself is a period of increased risks — at this time, anxiety and depressive disorders often manifest themselves," the psychologist noted.
Where can students get psychological help
In 2025, the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) conducted more than 1,100 free psychological consultations for students, Elena Apasova, Vice Rector for Strategic Communications at the university, told Izvestia.
— Students openly talk about increased anxiety levels. This is due to endless deadlines, a large amount of information that they do not have time to process, as well as the effect of achievement. For many, it is important how they look in the eyes of others, which also becomes a source of anxiety," she said.
The RUDN University press service added that psychological consultations are conducted in Russian, English and French. And every month, trainings and events dedicated to mental health issues are organized for students.
Alexander Ivanov, Vice—rector for Educational Work at Ural Federal University (UrFU), believes that it is important to create an atmosphere at the university in which it is normal to seek the support of a psychologist.
—There is a center for psychological support of students in UrFU, which provides qualified assistance in difficult life situations," he told Izvestia. — Consultations are available both face-to-face and remotely. You can make an appointment or just come anonymously to the psychological help office. The Center also organizes lectures and trainings on the prevention of emotional burnout and the development of psychological resilience skills.
The psychological service has been working at Tomsk State University (TSU) for more than 20 years.
"Students' lives are full of bright moments and new discoveries, but with them come serious challenges: the need to adapt to a new environment, withstand increased academic loads and cope with everyday stress," Dilara Nazmetdinova, head of the psychological service of the university, a clinical psychologist, told Izvestia. — Annual monitoring shows an increased level of tension among first-year students, therefore, from the very first days at the university, students are taught the course "Safety and vital activity". Students learn basic techniques for self-regulation of emotions and behavior in difficult situations.
A psychological support service has been operating at Novosibirsk State University (NSU) since the end of 2021.
— The main focus is individual consultations for students. In addition, we conduct psychotherapy groups and implement a training program for pre—psychological assistance volunteers," said Roman Anisimov, head of the Department of Psychological Support for students at NSU. — Much attention is paid to psychoprophylaxis. Stress management trainings, art therapy, vocal therapy, programs for developing self-regulation skills and strengthening child-parent relations are conducted.
Now NSU plans to take part in "testing the activities of psychological services in the higher education system as part of the implementation of the concept of developing a system of psychological support and psychological assistance," said Roman Anisimov.
And at Nizhny Novgorod State University named after N.I. Lobachevsky, the center for psychological support of students was established in 2019, said Natalia Dunaeva, head of the center, Candidate of Psychological Sciences.
— In total, during the work of the center, more than 4 thousand consultations were held with students, teachers, as well as with the parents of students, — she noted.
St. Petersburg State University (St. Petersburg State University) has a psychological clinic that provides support to students and university staff.
— The clinic's work is not limited only to the university community. It is also aimed at residents of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region," the university's press service told Izvestia.
The clinic is currently developing a department for early child and family support.
— Its task is to support the mental health of children from 0 to 5 years old and their close adults, including future and young student parents. This helps to reduce the stress associated with combining study and parenthood," the St. Petersburg State University said.
Psychological support is also provided to students at Moscow State University (MSU) and Kuban State University (KubGU), the press services of these universities reported.
How to maintain psychological stability
Psychological services in universities have become the norm. If there are not enough ways and skills to cope with stress, you should contact a specialist in a timely manner, said psychologist Tatiana Pryakhina.
— Due to a decrease in mental stability, psychosomatic diseases may appear. Stress makes it harder to concentrate, and learning takes place not through interest, but through strength — to the limit of one's abilities and will," the expert noted. — In relationships with others, increased irritability, apathy, and depressive states may appear. This makes it difficult to build new connections and destroys existing ones.
The psychologist agreed that high school students who enroll in universities based on the results of the Unified State Exam experience much less stress compared to Olympiad students, especially if they have the opportunity to pay for their studies.
— School Olympiads are, relatively speaking, a sport of the highest achievements. Such an environment is characterized by a very high level of perfectionism, and there are special rules for how a child should develop," said Tatiana Pryakhina. — Children who just take the EXAM have a more understandable trajectory of preparation for admission. Olympic athletes, on the other hand, are under tremendous strain and are in a highly competitive environment. And once at the university, they encounter other such "stars", and once again they have to prove their superiority.
Neuropsychologist Daria Zhivina noted that in the first months after admission to university, first-year students may experience a decrease in emotional stability.
— Students have been under stress for a long time due to preparation for exams and admission. When these stages are already over, a strong emotional release occurs. Therefore, in the first few months and often during the first session at the university, it is difficult for students to fully perceive new information. This is generally considered the norm," the expert explained.
Galina Laisheva added that studying at a university requires independence, as well as planning and self-regulation skills, which students are only at the stage of formation.
— Compared to school, the structure of the environment is reduced: the goal to enroll has been achieved and no longer determines the daily routine, there is no habitual control from the school and parents. Separation from family can increase vulnerability and loneliness," the expert noted.
The psychologist advised young people to keep basic supports — sleep, regular meals, physical activity and communication with friends and family. It is useful to master self—regulation skills such as breathing techniques, short breaks, and planning to manage stress levels.
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