You might think that to be a successful engineering student, you just need a sharp mind and a high tolerance for all-nighters. But a new study suggests that beyond math and science, the secret to success might be something else entirely: positive mental health.

Engineering students are known for facing a unique kind of stress. They often deal with a heavy workload, intense competition, and a demanding culture that expects them to be tough and emotionally reserved. All of this can lead to higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to other college students.

But researchers from Indonesia wanted to know why some engineering students seem to do so well, not just academically, but mentally. They studied 436 students and discovered that having a positive mental outlook is not just the absence of a disorder; it’s the presence of key strengths.

The Two Keys to Staying Mentally Strong

The study identified two major factors that helped students stay on top of their mental game:

1. Resilience: Think of resilience as your inner bounce-back power. It’s the ability to handle challenges and bounce back from setbacks. The research found that students with higher levels of resilience had lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. They are better able to use resources and adapt to difficult situations.
2. Self-Compassion: This is about treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would be a good friend. The study found that being compassionate with yourself is strongly linked to feeling happier and having a better quality of life. It’s a powerful tool that helps students navigate the pressures of their demanding major.

What Hurts and What Helps

The study also found that two things had a negative impact on mental health:

• “Aloneliness”: This isn’t about being lonely, but about the feeling of dissatisfaction when you don’t have enough time to yourself. For students constantly in a competitive, crowded academic environment, not having enough “me time” can take a serious toll on their psychological well-being.

• Dysfunctional Coping: These are the unhealthy ways we sometimes deal with stress, like avoiding problems or blaming ourselves. The research showed that these strategies were linked to poorer mental health outcomes.

The researchers also made another interesting discovery: third-year students showed significantly better positive mental health compared to first and second-year students. This suggests that the first few years of engineering education may be the most challenging, and that interventions to help students with their coping skills and “aloneliness” are especially important in those early years.

This research gives us a clear message: to help engineering students thrive, we need to do more than just focus on academics. By helping them build resilience and self-compassion, and by giving them the space to manage their stress in healthy ways, we can help them succeed both in the classroom and in their lives.

This article is based on the research from:

Abidin, F. A., Wedyaswari, M., Andriani, D., Heriawan, I. S., Mudita, P. G. P. R., Fadilah, S. H., … Budhi, Y. W. (2025). Social and psychological determinants of positive mental health in engineering students. Cogent Psychology, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2025.2485753