Graduate school can be a thrilling period of intellectual growth, but for many students, it is also marked by substantial anxiety, stress, and burnout. Graduate students report significantly higher levels of anxiety than the general population, and poor mental well-being is a leading contributor to attrition from graduate programs—both heartbreaking and costly for students and faculty alike.

This session will examine the psychological demands of academic life, including the distinction between stress and anxiety, a review of stressors specific to academia and their impact on well-being and performance, and evidence-based strategies for managing both anxiety and stress. The session will also offer practical, research-informed approaches for faculty, staff, and other supporters to assist students in navigating anxiety during an inherently high-pressure phase of life.

Reception to follow.