Modern-Day Campus Culture: Helpful or Harmful? by Amelia

Modern-Day Campus Culture: Helpful or Harmful? by Amelia - June 2026 Scholarship Essay

On many college campuses, the effects of substance use extend far beyond addiction itself. Sleep deprivation, worsening anxiety, and substance use are often dismissed as “part of the college experience” and ignored as warning signs of deeper mental health struggles. Excessive caffeine consumption, skipped meals, and self-medicating behaviors are frequently joked about in college culture, even though these habits can contribute to worsening physical and mental health, emotional exhaustion, academic difficulties, and social isolation. As academic pressures consistently run high, there are additional stressors such as social expectations and financial instability that cause more college students to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms in order to manage overwhelming stress and burnout.
During college, I began noticing that as I got less sleep, I was more reactive to stress and more likely to procrastinate or avoid responsibilities. This led to increased time on my phone late at night, which further impacted my sleep, focus, and emotional regulation. Over time, these habits created a feedback loop of poor time management, exhaustion, stress, and reduced productivity. I realized that many college students experience similar patterns due to academic pressure and a campus culture where sleep deprivation, constant screen exposure, and burnout are normalized. Research has also shown that poor sleep quality among university students is associated with substance use, emotional distress, and reduced academic functioning.
If I could design a project to improve my school community, I would create a low-barrier, trauma-informed mental health and substance use support program for students. This type of support is needed because many existing mental health resources are difficult to access or are only available once students reach a crisis point. Many students do not seek help until they are already struggling academically or emotionally, making early intervention especially important. One approach would involve offering short, peer-led workshops through campus settings such as student health centers, residence halls, or on-campus organizations. Sessions could focus on stress and time management, emotional regulation, healthy coping skills, and substance use education in a non-judgmental environment. Students would also receive practical resources such as sleep hygiene guides, information about available campus and community resources, and goal-setting worksheets. Workshops could be offered once a month and promoted through residence halls, student organizations, and student health centers to increase participation. Peer facilitators with lived experience could help reduce stigma and encourage participation. Multilingual resources and culturally responsive programming would also improve accessibility and cultural competence for diverse student populations.
My experiences in public health and occupational therapy have taught me that effective support systems must address both individual struggles and the larger systemic barriers that can contribute to them. Students need accessible resources, healthier coping strategies, and campus environments that do not contribute to the normalization of burnout, but instead prioritize well-being as much as academic performance. By creating more supportive and accessible campus communities, we can help students feel safer, healthier, and more comfortable seeking help when they need it. College students should not have to sacrifice their health and well-being in order to thrive academically.