Cause and Effect Essay

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Jamarr Williams

Professor Studebaker-Coppage

English 1101-TTT

September 29, 2009

Cause and Effect Essay

Although many fail to realize, all students are granted the ability to learn and the potential to succeed in life. However, modern student life is unfortunately full of great challenges, demands, and frustrations that are considered to be overbearing towards most students. In order to examine the general effects stress may have on the average student, it is imperative to examine both the causes and effects of stress. For some, unwanted stress can lead to casual issues involving mental and physical tension, minor psychological and cognitive disorders, learning agitation, anxiety, emotional depression, lack of sleep, and a small loss of concentration and memory. For others, stress can be so overwhelming that its effects can be more critical. According to studies shown, stress usually plays a major factor in the excessive increase in the overall dropout rate, severe alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, weight loss or gain, and suicide.

Stress is defined as “the emotional and physical strain caused by a person’s response to the demands and pressures of life” (“Stress” 863). In theory, stress is an ordinary physical and mental response to events that challenge, threaten, or upset the comforting balance of life. This can be any force or pressure put on a system which may result in a need for the system to adapt

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or change. Stress results from the interaction between stressors and the individual's perception and reaction to those stressors. The amount of stress experienced may be influenced by the individual's ability to effectively cope with stressful events and situations. If stress is not dealt with effectively, feelings of loneliness, nervousness, sleeplessness, and excessive amount of worrying may result.

In order to properly understand the effects of stress among students, whether major or minor, the causes must be recognized...