Stress and anxiety are a student’s two biggest rivals, and are having a serious impact on their mental health. Serious cases can lead to panic attacks and depression. But on a more human level, it stops passionate students doing what they enjoy – learning.

Speaking to students on these issues, it seems clear something has to change. One man said, “there’s a lot of emphasis put on how much education can change your life, but you should also be enjoying it too”. Another explained that there is pressure on school students to get accepted into university “to make the country look good, but once there, the only pressure, I think, is that each student is paying a lot of money and they don’t want to fail”.

The pressure put on students begins at a young age. Some argue it’s to prepare for the real world, but others say that it’s too young to be dealing with so much. During GCSEs, A-Levels and university, students expect there to be deadlines, revision and readings for all subjects and courses.

They particularly find group projects and presentations stressful, either because they didn’t know anyone, were concerned about their peers’ work ethic to achieve a group grade, or felt anxious about presenting to an audience. This on top of personal issues - whether it’s feeling home sick after moving to uni, falling out with a friend or dealing with the loss of a family member - can be difficult to balance.

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“The pressure builds up and then it gets to breaking point,” one student said, reliving the anxiety of deadlines in his head. A second student described how the stress makes her feel, “I don’t want to fail, which can sometimes motivate me or sometimes make me feel deflated”.

A graduate explained how “it made me tired and took away my social life in order to get a good degree”, something that shouldn’t be happening to so many young people.

BBC News recently spoke to students from the University of Bristol, who held a protest march to address the lack of mental health support they are receiving. Sim had a serious panic attack during his first year, and due to the struggle of making friends, had very few people supporting him. Will found his mental health worsening over the year, and signed up to counselling through the university. However, the form made it clear that he was unlikely to be chosen, which is exactly what happened. He says he’s “ feeling better now, but was definitely in a worse place after the experience of not getting help.” The number of students seeking support has risen by 10% in 5 years at Sim and Will’s university, and 50% across the UK.

Something needs to change.

Mental health is slowly becoming a conversational topic, which is helping students talk about their struggles, and how to overcome them. “Go for a walk or a run, or do something that makes you happy” one student recommends. It’s a known fact that exercise increases positivity, so there’s nothing better than some fresh air and a good work out to blow away the cobwebs.

One of the best forms of exercise to de-stress is yoga, which stretches and strengthens the body whilst letting the mind escape from any worries. Meditation is also effective, focusing the brain on what’s important, and leaving the stressors of everyday life behind.

If there’s no time for exercise, then another student suggests “letting [the stress] out, either by crying or writing down everything that’s going on in my brain.” Many psychologists advise writing lists or a journal to express emotions, worries, fears or concerns, to stop the brain ruminating on them, which ultimately improves productivity and sleep.

It’s also important to talk it out. “I spend time with family and close friends and take breaks to help me re-evaluate the situation. It helps calm me down and get my thoughts together” a graduate explained. She also likes writing a plan of action. “It makes me feel more in control and helps me delegate work instead of feeling overwhelmed”.

Different things work for different people, which is why talking to others is the best way to deal with anxiety. All these techniques can be used as a coping mechanism for when a stressful situation occurs, helping students from now into the future.

Putting pressure on teenagers to attend university has come from a good place, as they only want the best for the next generation. But university isn’t the right path for everyone.

“It’s something that looks good on your CV and makes your parents proud - a lot of people feel ashamed for not having one” a student explained. So maybe the solution is for schools to be recommending apprenticeships or online courses instead.

Everyone is different, everyone works in different ways. Why push so many different characters and personalities into the same path?

There’s no reason why so many young adults should be struggling with mental health, or why education should be the cause of it. Students should be waking up wanting to go to class. They should be able to make plans with their friends without feeling guilty. And they should definitely receive the support they need if something’s on their mind.

Don’t you agree?