Within academic culture, stress is often treated as an unavoidable part of success. Many students and lecturers grow up hearing statements such as, “Stress is necessary. In fact, it’s dangerous if you don’t experience stress at all.”
At first glance, this may sound motivating—even inspirational. But is it actually true?
As a new semester begins, academic life once again becomes filled with deadlines, assignments, evaluations, and administrative responsibilities. Students return to demanding coursework and exams, while lecturers juggle teaching, research, and institutional obligations. In environments like this, the belief that stress is essential becomes deeply normalized.
But perhaps it is time to question that assumption.
Does personal growth truly require constant pressure? Or has academia unintentionally created a misleading narrative that glorifies exhaustion as a symbol of dedication?
What Is Stress, Scientifically Speaking?
Before deciding whether stress is truly “necessary,” we first need to understand what stress actually means from a psychological perspective.
Psychologists Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman describe stress as the psychological and physiological response that occurs when individuals perceive environmental demands as overwhelming or difficult to manage.
Similarly, the American Psychological Association defines stress as an emotional and physical reaction to situations perceived as threatening, challenging, or beyond one’s control.
Stress generally emerges from two major sources:
External stressors
Such as academic pressure, work demands, social conflict, or financial difficulties.
Internal stressors
Such as perfectionism, fear of failure, unrealistic self-expectations, or persistent negative thinking.
Although people often differentiate between eustress (positive stress) and distress (harmful stress), this distinction can still become problematic when it is used to justify excessive pressure as something universally beneficial.
The reality is that people are capable of learning, adapting, and thriving without being emotionally overwhelmed.
Why the Narrative “Stress Is Necessary” Can Be Misleading
When someone says, “Stress is absolutely necessary,” several assumptions hidden behind that statement deserve critical examination.
1. Stress is not a requirement for survival or success
Many individuals live productive, meaningful, and successful lives without constantly experiencing severe stress.
Achievement is not measured solely by exhaustion.
2. Growth can emerge through curiosity and support—not only pressure
Not everyone develops resilience through hardship.
Some people grow through inspiration, meaningful relationships, reflection, creativity, or emotionally supportive environments.
Human development is far more complex than the simplistic idea of “pressure creates excellence.”
3. Glorifying stress increases the risk of burnout
When stress becomes normalized as proof of commitment, individuals may begin trapping themselves in unhealthy hustle culture.
Research by Christina Maslach and Michael Leiter found that chronic stress in academic and professional settings often decreases creativity, emotional well-being, and long-term productivity.
The real issue, then, is not whether people experience stress at all—but whether they are supported in responding to challenges in healthy and sustainable ways.
Misleading Positivity in Academic Culture
Psychology recognizes a phenomenon sometimes referred to as misleading positivity: motivational messages that appear empowering on the surface but ultimately reinforce harmful beliefs.
Examples frequently found in academic environments include:
“The more stressed you are, the more successful you’ll become.”
“If you’re not stressed, you’re probably not working hard enough.”
“Academics must get used to stress—it’s part of professionalism.”
These statements may sound encouraging, but they can quietly normalize unhealthy expectations.
Why is this dangerous?
Because it:
legitimizes overwork,
makes people feel guilty for resting,
and encourages toxic positivity, where exhaustion and emotional struggles are minimized or invalidated.
Over time, this creates an environment where balance feels irresponsible and self-care feels undeserved.
When Academic Pressure Turns into Hidden Bullying
If this culture continues unchecked, misleading positivity can gradually evolve into a form of subtle academic bullying.
For example:
Students may feel ashamed if they are not constantly overwhelmed.
Lecturers may feel pressured to remain endlessly productive without adequate recovery.
Young academics who express fatigue may be labeled weak, lazy, or unprofessional.
Under these conditions, academia risks transforming from a space for intellectual growth into an environment centered on survival.
And when survival becomes the dominant culture, creativity, curiosity, and emotional well-being often suffer.
Rethinking Stress in Academic Life
Stress is a natural part of human life. Completely avoiding stress is neither realistic nor necessary.
However, there is a major difference between acknowledging stress and glorifying it.
Personal growth can emerge through many pathways—not only through pressure, exhaustion, or emotional suffering.
If academic institutions truly want healthier, more productive, and more sustainable communities, they must stop romanticizing chronic stress as a badge of honor.
Mental well-being is not the opposite of success.
It is part of success itself.
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Written by Ruth NS
Lecturer of Psychology, Universitas Muria Kudus
Founder of PhiliaTalks