by Diana Bunting Forgie. Trauma is an unseen struggle that exists beyond the books in college. Suicidal thoughts, homelessness, financial struggles, childhood trauma, anxiety, and hyperhidrosis are just a few examples that stem from the ongoing battle of mental health amongst college students and should be addressed with urgency. Trauma is among the most neglected reasons that can be linked to academic challenges. While many students face academic difficulties due to mental health challenges, trauma is often dismissed with phrases like “Get over it” or “That was a long time ago—move on.” Some may even acknowledge a survivor’s resilience with comments like, “At least you overcame it.” However, trauma does not simply vanish with time. For many college students, the lasting effects of trauma create barriers that make academic success seem nearly impossible.
Students Share Their Stories
To understand how trauma affects academic performance, the Communiqué interviewed five students about who were dealing with trauma. Four identified their childhood experiences as the primary cause, while one attributed their trauma to financial struggles.
Samantha, a student at Queensborough Community College, describes how her childhood trauma affects her:
“When I was 4 years old, I saw a woman who hung herself. I ended up experiencing a great deal of trauma throughout my childhood, and any time I think of peace, I reflect on her, as she seemed at peace. Her body was at ease. She seemed happy.”
Another student, when asked how past trauma affected him, said:
“If death were an emotion, that would be how I feel daily.”
Trauma does not adhere to a set timeline. While some individuals find ways to heal, others struggle with long-term psychological consequences. Posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating are everyday problems among trauma survivors, which makes meeting academic demands even harder.
College students are especially vulnerable. The demands of higher education, such as balancing coursework, work, finances, and social expectations, can worsen unresolved trauma. A fast-approaching deadline or a professor’s critique can provoke feelings of inadequacy.
More concerning is the fact that many students with trauma may not recognize the full extent of its impact. They may think their issues are the by-product of personal failure or laziness rather than what they have survived. The subsequent self-blaming further impacts the cycle of pain, resulting in social withdrawal and a disconnect from the academic world. This is often a reason students have trouble with procrastination or meeting deadlines.
A study on past trauma was conducted at Queensborough Community College. Fifty students were asked to complete a survey about past trauma’s impact on their academic performance in college. To the question: “Have you ever had trouble focusing in class or retaining information because of past trauma?” a whopping 90 percent of students said yes, and 72% said anxiety, depression, or PTSD had negatively impacted their motivation and overall ability to complete assignments, 15% admitted to struggling with thoughts of suicide, while 85% acknowledged that their mental health challenges had negatively impacted their GPA or overall academic performance.
When asked, “Do you ever struggle with motivation, procrastination, or burnout due to past trauma?” 78% of students responded yes. Despite these struggles, only 30% had sought support from campus counseling services and most who did found counseling helpful. When asked whether professors and academic advisors understood the challenges faced by students with past trauma, the majority agreed that most professors were understanding.
Campus Counseling
Loren Portney, a college assistant at the Queensborough counseling center, says the center takes many steps to create a safe and welcoming environment for students with trauma-related issues.
“We provide a welcoming environment for QCC students, where licensed mental health professionals assess and support them,” Portney explained. “We provide walk-in services and scheduled appointments to suit students’ needs.” She also stressed the center’s confidentiality: “Whatever happens here is confidential. Nothing is repeated. Offices are private, and student information can only be accessed by the director and fellow counselors.”
Regarding the program’s success, Portney highlighted that one to two hundred students enroll each semester and many show improved mental health and increased confidence after receiving support.
The counseling center is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with remote services available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5 PM to 6 PM (excluding holidays). Students can also call the counseling center at (718)-631-6370 or email the counseling center at counseling@qcc.cuny.edu.
External Research
A study called “Prevalence and Predictors of PTSD Among a College Sample” reveals that many young adults experience potentially traumatic events, especially between the ages of 16 and 20, when most students are in college. It is estimated that about 84% of college students have gone through such events, and of those, around 9% might develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
A study conducted at Yale University found, “According to the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment, approximately 60% of college students reported feeling overwhelming anxiety, while 40% experienced depression severe enough to hamper their daily functioning.”
Mental health problems stemming from past experiences of trauma are becoming a serious issue for students today. Everyone needs to understand what past trauma is and how it can affect someone over time. By raising awareness, we can help those who have been through difficult times to succeed and pursue their education more effectively.
