Abstract

The main purpose of this quantitative study was to explore undergraduates’ anxiety level, as well as the correlation and differences among such variables as the sources of anxiety, students’ GPAs, grade levels, and majors. The research results indicated that undergraduates at a flagship university in the northwest, United States, were moderately anxious. There was no statistically significant difference in anxiety level and GPAs between domestic and international students. There was no statistically significant correlation between the anxiety and GPA concerning grade levels. Based on sources of anxiety and grade levels, undergraduates suffered exam anxiety most, and presentation anxiety came second. Freshmen’ anxiety level related to all sources was highest. Seniors were least anxious. There were statistically significant differences in the anxiety level related to specific sources regarding grade levels, except for presentation source of anxiety. Built on anxiety sources and majors, Human Services students had the highest level of anxiety. The least anxious was Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources students. The study concluded that higher education institutions should implement effective policies, procedures and practices to mitigate students’ anxiety level and thus improve their mental health and well-being.

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