The Pressure Paradox: Does Competition Help or Hurt in College?

Introduction

Imagine walking into a classroom in your chosen college where the atmosphere is filled with uncertainty, each student competing with their peers for top grades, internships, admissions into dream institutions and future careers. The rat race is on. How do you feel?

It motivates you to strive for excellence, pushing you to achieve more than you ever thought possible.
Or
It creates huge stress, anxiety and burnout distracting your focus from your academic journey.

Well, in college life, competition is often a double-edged sword, giving you any of the above feelings or both. Welcome to the world of the Pressure Paradox, where the same force that inspires excellence can also impose hurt as competition in college is a catalyst for success or a pathway to risk and failure.

Do you feel stuck in this pressure paradox of educational success? Ask yourselves, ‘Does it help or hurt?’

Pressure Paradox

The “Pressure Paradox” in education means that competition has two opposite effects on students. It can help them do their best and achieve great success, but it can also cause a lot of stress and anxiety. This paradox shows that competition can both motivate and harm students.

It is not as simple as the old saying says – competition raises your game. Sometimes, it causes you to quit. So the main question is, ‘ Are the good parts of competition worth the bad parts?’

To increase your chance of raising your game, you need to:

• Set appropriate and multiple goals.
• Define your comparison point.
• Align your motivation with your definition of success.

1. Reasons for Competition

The pressure-like environment of competition begins early, with students as young as middle school due to the expectations of their families, friends, and society. The main reasons for stress associated with competition are:

• Severe Competition: The demand for limited seats in prestigious colleges and universities creates heavy competition among students, creating a need for high scores for success.
• Parental Expectations: Parents commonly pressure their children to excel in competitive exams, particularly in families with a history of academic achievement.
• Media Influence: The notion of successful exam performers in the media as intelligent and successful further worsens the pressure on students to meet societal expectations.
• Self-Imposed Stress: Many students take it personally to perform well in exams, due to fears of failure and a desire to meet parental and societal expectations.

2. Survey Data

Students are subjected to strenuous study schedules, sleepless nights, and an overwhelming fear of failure that extends through every aspect of their lives.

In 2022, India witnessed over 13,000 student suicides, comprising 7.6% of all suicide deaths, as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Notably, within the last two months, 6 students in Kota have taken their own lives, marking a distressing trend following the record high of 26 student suicides in the town the previous year. (Source)

Advantages of Competition

1. Promotes Growth and Resilience: Competition can push you to exceed your perceived limits, fostering resilience and a strong work ethic.
2. Increases Motivation: The desire to be the best can enhance your interest in studies and eagerness to learn.
3. Clear Goal Setting: For many students, the competition provides clear goals to aim for, which can help in tracking progress and achievements.
4. Encourages Learning: The challenge of competition can make learning more engaging and dynamic.
5. Build Skills: Participating in competitions can help develop important skills like time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Disadvantages of Competition

1. Causes Stress and Anxiety: Excessive competition can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety, making students focus more on grades than on actual learning.
2. Encourages Dishonesty: Intense pressure to excel can result in cheating and dishonest behaviour.
3. Diminishes Enjoyment: The joy and excitement of learning can be lost when school feels more like a stressful battleground.
4. Creates Unhealthy Pressure: Overemphasis on being the best can lead to unhealthy levels of pressure, affecting mental and emotional well-being.
5. Inhibits Creativity: A competitive environment may stifle creativity and discourage risk-taking, as students might fear failure and its consequences.

How Does Competition Influence College Life?

1. Help

For some, competition is interchangeable with motivation, providing a clear structure within which they can set goals and measure progress.

a. Motivation and Excellence

If you are in competitive programs, such as engineering or pre-med, and you find yourself seeking top grades and internships, this vision can lead to a deeper understanding of the field, as you engage more thoroughly with the material and seek out additional learning opportunities. This is motivation and excellence.

One of the primary benefits of competition is its ability to motivate students. The desire to do better than peers can lead to increased effort and a commitment to excellence. Competitive environments can stimulate a healthy rivalry that encourages students to push their limits and explore their full potential.

b. Preparation for the Real World

Have you ever been a part of a college debate team? You will have to research, create strong arguments, and present them well while competing against other teams. You thus learn to set goals, manage your time, and handle pressure. This is actually preparing you for the real world.

Another advantage of competition is that it prepares you for real-life situations. The job market is very competitive, and learning how to deal with this during college can teach you important skills. These skills are crucial for success in any job. Being able to succeed in a competitive environment can make you more resilient and adaptable in your career.

2. Hurt

a. Stress and Mental Health Issues

Has anyone amongst your peers or you felt overwhelming anxiety, or experienced depression? The determined purpose of success can sometimes affect mental well-being, making it essential to address the negative impact of excessive competition.

The pressure to compete can have damaging effects. The constant need to beat other students can lead to notable stress and anxiety. Many students face huge pressure to achieve high grades, get admissions into prestigious institutions, and build an impressive resume along with a good social life. This balancing act can become overwhelming, leading to burnout and mental health issues.

b. Erosion of Collaboration and Community

Have you experienced that some students might be less willing to share notes or study together, fearing that helping others could detract from their own success. This individualistic approach can create a toxic atmosphere, lowering the overall college experience.

Excessive competition can thus destroy the importance of community and collaboration among students. In highly competitive environments, students might view peers more as enemies than friends, leading to a lack of cooperation and support. This competitive mindset can affect the formation of meaningful relationships and collaborative learning experiences, which are essential to personal and academic growth.

The following saying by The late Franklin D. Roosevelt, former President of the United States fits well here “Competition has been shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation, which is the thing we must strive for today, begins where competition leaves off.”

Striking a Balance: Role of Colleges

The key to creating the positive aspects of competition while reducing its negative effects lies in balance. This can be achieved by:

1. Promoting a Growth Mindset

Colleges can promote a growth mindset by encouraging students to focus on personal development and learn from challenges rather than just focusing on outperforming others. Encouraging students to set personal goals and celebrate their own progress can reduce the negative impact of competition.

Colleges can play a key role in promoting this mindset in you by providing constructive feedback and support. Recognizing various forms of achievement and encouraging a variety of ways to succeed can help you appreciate your unique strengths and contributions.

2. Creating Supportive Environments

Colleges can create supportive environments through initiatives like group projects, study groups, and peer mentoring programs. This helps promote teamwork and peer support among students.

Colleges can provide mental health resources, counseling services, stress management workshops, and wellness programs that can support those struggling with the pressures of competition. Creating a culture that prioritizes mental health and well-being can help you manage competition more effectively.

3. Redefining Success

Colleges can redefine success beyond academic and professional success. This will encourage students to pursue passions and interests outside the classroom, such as sports, arts, and community service, develop a good sense of self-worth and reduce the only focus on competition.

When colleges incorporate discussions about failure and stability into the college curriculum you can prepare yourself for setbacks and help them view challenges as opportunities for growth. Learning to cope with failure and persist in the face of adversity are invaluable life skills that extend far beyond college.

Conclusion

Competition in college presents both opportunities and challenges. While it can drive excellence and real-world readiness, it can also cause stress and harm community spirit. Balancing healthy competition with collaboration is essential for a supportive college experience.

Embrace competition’s potential to inspire while managing its risks. This ensures that competition promotes growth without causing unnecessary pressure. Strive for a college experience that is challenging yet supportive, rigorous yet rewarding, and competitive yet compassionate. It’s not just about grades or awards, but about the person you become in the process.

FAQs

1. Is competition good or bad for students?

Competition can be beneficial as it motivates students to excel, fosters ambition, and prepares them for real-world challenges. However, excessive competition can lead to stress, anxiety, and a focus solely on winning rather than personal growth. Balancing competition with collaboration and personal development is essential for healthy student development.

2. What are the benefits of competition?

Competition promotes motivation, goal-setting, and enhanced performance. It cultivates resilience, fosters critical thinking, and prepares one for academic and life challenges. Healthy competition also stimulates collaboration, innovation, and personal growth, enriching the educational journey and laying the foundation for future success.

3. Is competition really beneficial?

Yes, competition can be beneficial as it motivates one to strive for excellence, fosters goal-setting, and enhances performance. However, it should be balanced to avoid excessive stress and prioritize personal growth over winning. Healthy competition encourages skills development and prepares one for challenges in various aspects of life.

4. Can competition improve the quality of education?

Competition can improve the quality of education by motivating students and educators to strive for higher standards, fostering innovation in teaching methods, and promoting academic excellence. However, its effectiveness depends on a balanced approach that also values collaboration, creativity, and holistic student development.

5. Is competition a necessary part of education?

Competition is not intrinsically necessary for education but can be a valuable component when balanced with collaboration and personal growth. It motivates students to excel, fosters ambition, and prepares them for real-world challenges. However, a well-rounded education should also prioritize cooperation, creativity, and holistic development.

Also Read:

• Mental Health and Well-being: Addressing Gen Z’s Needs in Colleges
• What are the challenges that come after higher education?
• Life Beyond Lectures: Social and Mental Challenges of Graduating College
• 5 Ways Setting SMART Goals Helps in Career Success
• Is Gen Z Finding the New Landscape of Higher Education Challenging?