Academic stress may have a detrimental effect on students. This study aims to examine the factors causing academic stress, the effects of stress on academic performance, and the coping strategies adopted to manage it. This study used a qualitative approach to collect primary data through one-to-one interviews. Purposive sampling was employed, and 15 undergraduate accounting students within universities and colleges in Malaysia were interviewed. A thematic analysis approach was adopted to analyze the collected data. Findings revealed that many accounting students experienced an upper-moderate level of academic stress as they had difficulty comprehending study material, managing heavy coursework, time management issues and financial challenges. Academic stress has led many of them to have an adverse effect on academic performance, impact of stress, health issues and lack of concentration. They adopted effective time management and took regular breaks to cope with academic stress.
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