Strategies for Coping with the Stress among Students: Running with the Hare and Hunting with the Hounds

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate stress experiences associated with working and studying concurrently, and strategies for coping with the stress among students in the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), located in the Efutu Municipality of the Central Region of Ghana. The popular saying “running with the hare and hunting with the hounds”, means that engaging in two or more irreconcilable roles concurrently is highly impossible or unrealistic. In modern times, obtaining higher formal education seems to be the key to maintaining one’s status or staying on top of one’s career competition.

The study used an interpretive research paradigm and a qualitative case study methodology. Twenty (20) MPhil students from UEW, including 10 first-year and 10 second-year students, were sampled for the semi-structured interview guide.  The study determined that the main cause of students combining their academic and employment activities was financial difficulties. The study also found that working and studying at the same time can cause stress-related symptoms such as high blood pressure, restlessness, headaches, back pain, and appetite loss. The study also showed that the students used assertiveness, regular exercise, diet monitoring, and planned absences from work and school to deal with their stress. It is therefore recommended to the university’s counselling centre to educate working students on how to properly manage the academic and work-related stress they experience on daily basis. This could be included in the orientation programmes organised for students when they are newly admitted to the university.