Academic pressure is a universal experience among students, but for Black students in the UK, this pressure often comes with additional layers of complexity. I can say that confidently, as it’s an experience I’m currently living and breathing. These layers in my opinion, stem from systemic issues, cultural expectations, and personal aspirations that converge to create a unique and often overwhelming burden. Contributing factors to this pressure and ways to alleviate it include:
The invisible weight: understanding academic pressure among Black students
Evangel shares her experience of academic pressures as a Black student, why they occur, and how she has personally tackled them.
High expectations from family and community
Many students, especially Black students, feel a profound sense of responsibility to honour the sacrifices made by their families. Myself as a very relatable case study: I’m a first-generation, abroad, sponsored university student. The expectation to excel academically is not just a personal goal but a communal hope, which can be both motivating and incredibly stressful, taking both visible and invisible tolls on our mental health.
Systemic barriers and racism
The educational journey of Black students is often marred by systemic racism and microaggressions. These can range from overt discrimination to subtle biases in the classroom. Such experiences not only affect our mental health but also our academic performance, creating a vicious cycle of stress and underachievement.
Lack of representation and support
Black students frequently report feeling isolated in predominantly white institutions. The lack of representation among faculty and staff means fewer role models and mentors who can relate to our experiences. And sometimes even when an effort is made to put Black representation among faculty and staff members, the representatives chosen, have either migrated away from “home’’ long enough to not be up to date with our current experience and situation, and so do not even fully understand some of our problems.
They say it’s the effort that counts, but aren’t the results expected to be produced from these supposed changes, meant to be just as important as well? Additionally, the support services available often lack cultural sensitivity, making it harder for us to seek and receive appropriate help.
Gender-specific pressures
The intersection of race and gender further complicates the academic experience for Black students. Black male students might face stereotypes of hypermasculinity, discouraging them from showing vulnerability or seeking help. On the other hand, Black female students often struggle with body image issues, the pressure to fit in and societal expectations which affect our self-esteem and academic focus.
The impact
The relentless pressure to perform academically can lead to various negative outcomes for Black students, including:
Mental health issues
Anxiety, depression, and burnout are common among students facing high academic pressure. For Black students, these issues are compounded by experiences of racism and isolation.
Lower academic performance
The stress associated with high expectations and systemic barriers can lead to lower grades and academic disengagement. This, in turn, can affect their future career opportunities and financial stability.
Attrition rates
Black students with mental health conditions are more likely to drop out of university compared to their peers, highlighting the urgent need for better support systems.
Strategies we can adopt to alleviate academic pressure as students
While systemic changes are essential, there are several strategies we can adopt to help us cope with the academic pressure:
I’d always start with saying “admitting we’re dealing with these pressures and expectations, is the first step”, and no I’m not a therapist *inserts laughter*. Coming from an African (Nigerian) background is the reason I say this first. This is because I’ve come to realise that we find it difficult to even admit realities like this, especially if we’re linking it to mental health issues. So, admit it to yourself first: once you’re able to, it should be a smoother sail to find ways to cope with or even overcome this.
Seek support networks
- Connect with peers
Building a supportive network of peers who share similar experiences helped me develop a sense of belonging and mutual support. Joining or forming student groups focused on Black students' interests and issues can be immensely beneficial. Margaret J. Wheatley said, and I quote, “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” This simply translates to mean when people come together around common passions, beliefs, or values, they create a powerful bond that fosters connection, support, and growth.
- Mentorship
Seeking out mentors who can offer guidance, support, and perspective can help navigate the academic and social challenges of university life. Look for mentorship programs within the university or in the wider community.
Utilise university resources
- Counselling services
There’s honestly nothing wrong with seeking counselling services or seeing a psychiatrist if you need to. Many universities offer mental health services, including counsellors trained to understand the specific challenges faced by Black students. Do not hesitate to use these services, as they can provide valuable support and coping strategies.
- Academic support
Make use of academic support services such as tutoring, study groups, and one to one study skill plus sessions. These resources can help manage academic workload and improve performance, which in turn reduces stress both mentally and physically.
Practice self-care
- Manage stress
Incorporate stress-management techniques into your routine, such as exercise, meditation, journaling and hobbies. Regular physical activity like going to the gym really helped me. Mindfulness practices like meditation and journaling can significantly reduce anxiety and improve mental well-being. You can also try positive affirmations; they are my favourites.
- Set realistic goals
Breaking down academic tasks into manageable goals has really helped me. Setting realistic, achievable objectives helped and is still helping me prevent feelings of being overwhelmed and help maintain steady progress.
- Learn coping strategies
I developed and practiced a lot of coping strategies to manage my stress and anxiety. I found familiarising myself with techniques such as deep breathing, and positive self-talk to be beneficial, and like I said affirmations are my favourite.
- Develop resilience by embracing growth mindset
Adopting a growth mindset and viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and development, changed my perspective and helped me stay motivated and resilient each time I faced setbacks.
- Voice your needs
Participate in student councils or committees to advocate for more inclusive policies and support services. Engaging in activism can also provide a sense of empowerment and community as I’ve earlier said.
- Collaborate with faculty
Work with faculty members who are allies to address issues of bias and representation in the curriculum. Building these relationships can foster a more inclusive academic environment and even help you in the future if need be.
Alleviating the pressure
Addressing the academic pressure faced by Black students requires a multifaceted approach or at least that’s what I think:
- Culturally sensitive support services
Universities should put an effort in developing support services that are culturally sensitive and accessible. This includes hiring more diverse mental health practitioners and providing training for staff on cultural competence.
- Creating inclusive environments
For this point, I must acknowledge that most universities are putting effort to do this, maybe just on paper or actually bringing it to life. Efforts to create a more inclusive and welcoming campus environment can help reduce feelings of isolation and in this case, not just for Black students. This can be achieved through student-led initiatives, support networks, and inclusive policies, that can be followed through and not just passed as policy.
- Mentorship and representation
Increasing the representation of Black faculty members and mentors can provide students with role models who understand their unique challenges. Mentorship programs can offer guidance, support, and a sense of community. As Black students, we should also encourage each other to run for student positions that are made available in universities, both on faculty levels, course levels and in our various student union/societies. You might not know it, but your presence in some of these positions might just be the mentorship another Black student needs (no pressure).
- Family and community engagement
Engaging families and communities in the educational process can help manage expectations and provide a support network for students. Universities can organise workshops and information sessions to bridge the gap between academic expectations and realities. In some cases, these workshops can be a stretch given some of our parents may live miles away from our university or just be swamped with work. In this case, it falls on us to communicate how their expectation makes us feel and how it has or is affecting us. Initiating a conversation with family may be challenging, but this framework might help you.
Conclusion
The academic pressure faced by Black students in the UK is a complex issue that requires comprehensive solutions. By understanding the unique challenges we face and implementing targeted support strategies, universities can help reduce this pressure and foster an environment where we all can thrive.
Meanwhile as Black students, we can adopt various strategies to manage stress and build resilience, ensuring we maintain our well-being while pursuing academic success.
Addressing these challenges is not just about supporting Black students; it's about creating a fairer, more inclusive education system for everyone.
By acknowledging and addressing the unique pressures faced by Black students, we take a crucial step towards a more equitable and supportive educational landscape. Let’s continue this conversation and work towards meaningful change.