College Students Locked Out by Stress: Is Exercise the Key?
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — The pressure of college life seems endless. Exams, quizzes, and group projects often collide in a single week, leaving many students feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. According to a recent study, this college life stress is far from uncommon.
A March 2025 report by BMC Psychology revealed that 73.2% of college students are experiencing moderate to high levels of stress tied to academic demands and daily life on campus. As midterm grades just went out, many students at Lock Haven University are feeling that strain firsthand and are being left with a feeling of academic underperformance. Luckily, experts have said that through exercise, a student’s stress might be combatable. The Mayo Clinic reports that physical activity triggers the release of beta-endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that help produce dopamine, a hormone linked to feelings of happiness and calm. According to the National Health Institute (NHI), even a 10-minute walk can lift mood, sharpen focus, and increase concentration.
At Lock Haven, opportunities to get active are not in short supply. The popular Riverwalk, or levee, beginning behind the campus tennis courts, stretches roughly 2.25 miles along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The paved path offers scenic views of the town, nearby mountains, and water, with historical markers giving interesting and relevant town history as you walk. Another less popular hike is found on campus behind the Robinson Learning Center. The Lock Haven nature walk is a 1.5-mile loop that takes the hiker to “Normal Hill,” which was the site of the Central State Normal School, later known as Lock Haven State College and then Lock Haven University. On the nature trail, you would also encounter the foundation of the naturalist cabin. These scenic walks give students a chance to experience nature while reducing the stress of their day-to-day lives.
For those who prefer indoor activity, the Student Recreation Center, located behind the residence halls, provides a wide range of facilities. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. Students have access to weightlifting equipment, an indoor track, three multipurpose courts, a dance and aerobics room, five cardio bays, and a 30-foot climbing wall. Students utilizing the Recreation Center have had many positive things to say about its effects. “Ever since I started going to the Rec, I’ve felt a lot more confident in myself,” said one Lock Haven student, who asked to remain anonymous. “Even if I’m just walking on the treadmill while watching a show, I feel refreshed from the stress of the day.”
Lock Haven also offers numerous student clubs that promote active lifestyles, including boxing, rugby, volleyball, dance consort, golf, Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), intramural soccer and softball, pickleball, and rock climbing. Getting involved in a club on campus not only opens pathways to exercising and a healthy lifestyle but also gives students an outlet for social interaction and growth.
Stress may be an unavoidable part of student life, but learning to manage it can make all the difference. With so many outlets for movement and community on campus, Lock Haven students have a variety of ways to support their mental health and well-being as the semester continues and stress mounts.
