Arts students learn that exhaustion and self-sacrifice are part of becoming an artist.

University students worldwide face growing mental health struggles, but arts students remain understudied even though they may be especially vulnerable to stress. Researchers wanted to know what causes this distress. They studied art students to see how their school environments create pressure. The school culture pushes students to accept suffering as normal. Students face unwritten rules that demand total dedication and constant networking. Heavy workloads, unclear grading, and stressful final reviews drain their energy, while confusing boundaries with teachers and rivalry with classmates add more strain. Together, these pressures create a hidden lesson: to become an artist, you must endure burnout, self-sacrifice, and deep uncertainty. The study shows these struggles are not personal weaknesses. Instead, artistic training builds this stress directly into everyday student life.

Why it matters

University students' mental health is declining globally, and arts students may be especially vulnerable. This study shows that stress in arts education is not just personal but built into the culture—through norms of total commitment, vague grading, and competitive dynamics. Recognising this hidden curriculum could help educators change how they teach and support students.

Questions answered