The influence of stress on students at a technical vocational education and training college

Abstract

Research has revealed that learners in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges often face substantial stress which can influence their physical well-being, mental health, and academic achievements. This study investigates the influence of stress on Business Studies students attending a TVET college located in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Key factors contributing to student stress were identified, including financial constraints, social challenges, family-related difficulties, daily hardships, and demanding academic workloads. The study also explored the coping strategies employed by these students, particularly during high-stress assessment periods. As part of this research, a convenience sampling method was used in which a group of students volunteered to participate. These students kept diaries over three months and participated in two interviews about their experience with stress and stressors. The findings underscored the significant influence of stress on TVET students, corroborating previous research findings that have identified similar sources of stress and the coping mechanisms observed in this study. This study reinforces the pervasive nature of stress within technical and vocational education environments and highlights the necessity for targeted support strategies to address this issue. The following recommendations are made: students should be taught how to manage their workload and stress levels to enhance academic success and their overall health; peer support groups should be established to mitigate these stressors; and curriculum integration of diary writing and utilizing recreational activities as means of reducing student stress should be considered.