The Vice President of the University of Ghana Association of Psychology Students (UNIGAPS), Patrick Kekeli, has raised concerns about the significant emotional burden students face in balancing academics, financial stress, and constant assessments.
Speaking on Campus Exclusive on May 16, Patrick noted that the continuous pressure to meet grade expectations, navigate tuition payments, and cope with uncertainty over academic results contributes heavily to students’ emotional stress.
“First of all, you’re trying so hard to meet a certain GPA—that alone is the biggest stress of it all. Right from paying our fees, to not seeing our results on MIS, and then having an IA the next day. The IA gets cancelled, and so on. As minimal as these things may seem individually, they compound into what I call emotional luggage on students. It’s very worrying.”
He emphasized that while these issues may appear small on their own, together they build up and can negatively impact students’ mental well-being, making university life overwhelming.
To help safeguard mental health, Mr. Patrick shared practical strategies. He highlighted the importance of self-awareness, personal commitment, and time management. He advised students to maintain a structured schedule, strike a balance between academics and extracurricular activities, and ensure proper rest to avoid burnout.
“First of all, you should take inventory of all the things you’re committed to. Because Legon is such that if you focus too much on one thing—say a difficult course—you might excel in it but neglect a less difficult one. After creating your schedule, you should always allocate time to relax.”
By acknowledging the emotional toll of academic life, Patrick calls for a more balanced approach to university living. His message serves as a reminder that prioritizing mental well-being is just as important as achieving academic success.
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Story by: Gabriel Opoku | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by: Wahab Abdul Razak