Painful all-nighters, cheap instant noodles, and eccentric professors—the reality of being a university student is stressful, yet somehow unforgettable. No matter how many tears are shed during finals, nothing beats the relief of hitting “submit” on that last assignment or the memories made with your college friends. It’s a love-hate relationship in the truest sense.
All those highs and lows also make perfect meme material, and the Instagram account That Student Page knows it well. They’ve captured every relatable moment of student life, and we’ve gathered some of the funniest ones below. Scroll through to enjoy them—consider it a well-deserved study break.
#1
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#2
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#3
Image credits: thatstudentpage
The words student and stress might as well be synonyms, considering how often they go hand in hand. After all, who can truly breeze through every class without breaking a sweat?
Pretty sure that person doesn’t exist. And if they do, I’d love to meet them, because that sounds like something straight out of a fairytale.
#4
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#5
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#6
Image credits: thatstudentpage
Research backs this up. Around 60% of students report feeling stressed every day, and 1 in 5 say they feel that way most of the time.
What’s more, managing college life seems to have only gotten tougher. Stress levels among students have risen by 30% over the past three decades, and even high schoolers in the U.S. now report higher stress than adults.
#7
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#8
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#9
Image credits: thatstudentpage
While stress may feel like a rite of passage, there are ways to make student life a little easier, and no, it’s not just scrolling through memes (though that definitely helps, and Bored Panda has plenty of those, wink wink). Here’s what experts in education suggest.
University of Twente recommends rethinking stress altogether. While too much of it can be harmful, a healthy level isn’t necessarily bad. In fact, it’s your body’s way of motivating you to solve problems.
Without it, you might not feel the drive to study for that big exam or finish an important project. Stress often signals that something matters to you, so instead of trying to eliminate it, the goal is to learn how to manage it.
#10
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#11
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#12
Image credits: thatstudentpage
To keep stress from becoming overwhelming, preparation can make a bigger difference than you think. And while actually sticking to it is easier said than done, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
At the start of the semester, take a moment to look over your schedule, mark important deadlines and exam dates, and set a few reminders. Planning ahead won’t solve everything, but it will spare you from last-minute panic later on.
#13
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#14
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#15
Image credits: thatstudentpage
Of course, procrastination will still try to sneak in, but it doesn’t have to win. Creating a study plan and sticking to it can really help. Even having a loose structure is better than playing everything by ear; it gives you direction and a clearer sense of control.
To get started, try prioritizing your tasks. Begin with the smaller or quicker ones—crossing them off your list gives you a small boost and the motivation to move on to the more demanding ones.
#16
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#17
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#18
Image credits: thatstudentpage
Beyond academics, Purdue Global reminds students that it’s just as important to take care of themselves. An unhealthy diet can make it harder to manage stress, even though most students practically run on caffeine and fast food.
Eating balanced meals can really help, and when possible (as obvious as it sounds), try to squeeze in a bit of exercise too.
#19
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#20
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#21
Image credits: thatstudentpage
At the same time, self-care isn’t limited to exercise or eating well. It also means finding what helps you recharge, whether that’s drawing, gaming, or picking up a new hobby altogether.
And don’t forget how important your support network is. College is the perfect time to surround yourself with people who lift you up and listen without judgment.
#22
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#23
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#24
Image credits: thatstudentpage
Still, sometimes stress can become too heavy to handle alone. Persistent headaches, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, or feeling down can all be signs that it’s time to reach out for help.
Contact your study advisor or seek professional support through your university. It’s not something to be ashamed of—it’s a way to take care of yourself and stay on track.
A bit of stress can push you forward. Just don’t let it take the driver’s seat. You’ve got this.
#25
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#26
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#27
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#28
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#29
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#30
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#31
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#32
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#33
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#34
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#35
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#36
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#37
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#38
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#39
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#40
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#41
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#42
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#43
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#44
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#45
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#46
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#47
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#48
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#49
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#50
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#51
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#52
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#53
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#54
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#55
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#56
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#57
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#58
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#59
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#60
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#61
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#62
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#63
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#64
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#65
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#66
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#67
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#68
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#69
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#70
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#71
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#72
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#73
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#74
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#75
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#76
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#77
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#78
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#79
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#80
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#81
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#82
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#83
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#84
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#85
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#86
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#87
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#88
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#89
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#90
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#91
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#92
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#93
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#94
Image credits: thatstudentpage
#95
Image credits: thatstudentpage
