The number of students needing counselling for stress and anxiety is continuing to increase.

There are many different things that can cause stress for college students. Returning to school is one of them.

Teri Rollingson, an administrative assistant for the campus tutoring service, says that so far this semester there hasn’t been a huge increase in students needing tutoring services but there have been increases in the past, mainly due to ESL and mature students.

“I find the September semester very stressful for a lot of students,” said Rollingson, “Especially for those students who aren’t adjusted to college life such as students just out of high school or mature students who haven’t been to school for a number of years.”

Finances are another stressor for college students. This type of stress can come from several different directions; tuition and parking passes are two directly related to the college.

According to Heather Lyon, director of financial services, tuition has increased 0.35 per cent from last year.

In addition, the college parking pass rates increased from last year. Annual permits went up 10 per cent from $200 since last year.

 This excludes residence-parking passes because they are priced separately from the other passes.

While the budget for the college’s caretaking department didn’t decrease, operating costs did, forcing rates to increase.

The increase in rates for both staff and students will be used to pay for the lights in parking lots, snow removal, lines in the lots, renewal of lots and cleaning labour.

“As a rule the college historically doesn’t raise rates annually. But it’s not surprising to see them go up due to increased costs,” said Perry Albert, manager of caretaking services.

Students playing sports also feel stress.

The students who play sports have to keep their grades above a 1.5 GPA or they are removed from the team. Those on scholarships have to keep their grades above a 2.0 GPA or they lose their scholarship and then they must keep their grades above 1.5 or they too are removed from the team.

“There are a few students every year that don’t meet the standards, not a lot, but a few,” said Bill Dean, athletic manager.

“I think the standards we have are quite reasonable.”

Athletes practise about eight hours a week and are expected to do their homework and show up to all practices.

Instructors also put pressure on the students with their assignments, with many of the topics lacking flexibility for students.

“There are certain topics I don’t agree with,” said Donielle Yanke, a criminal justice student.

“You have to write a certain way to get the grade you want. Only certain ones are open to your opinion,” Yanke said.

There are ways to relieve stress, such as going to the gym.

This year, the college gym provided orientation for new students and is offering incentives to get people active.

“It’s such an important tool in relieving stress,” said Allison Koganow, who works for physical education services.

Physical education services are currently working on group personal training to help with stress.

Counselling can also help relieve stress.

Carly Sharpe, personal counsellor, says that subjectively more students need counselling for stress all across Canada.

It still remains true that more females than males seek counselling for these types of problems.

“Culturally and socially it’s more accepting for girls to come in. But that’s changing,” Sharpe said.

A poll taken at Lethbridge College revealed that 55% of males would rather to do something physical to relieve stress than talk while 77% of females would rather talk to someone, whether it is friends and family or a counsellor.