If you’re a senior worried about essays, personal statements, grade point averages, Advanced Placement test scores, and other elements of the intimidating college admissions process, remember that you’re not alone. According to CollegeData, 58% of seniors surveyed stated that applying to college was the most stressful aspect of senior year. This stress comes from various sources, including the competitive nature of admissions, academic and extracurricular expectations, parental and peer pressure, and self-imposed goals. This article will explore these factors and offer practical strategies to cope.
Understanding the Pressure
Given the volume of applications and the average number of institutions applied to, the college admissions environment has become much more competitive. Despite this, acceptance rates at top universities continue to decline, increasing stress levels for students who are striving to meet high standards.
Colleges want to assess applicants’ readiness for college-level coursework and learn about their personality beyond academics. As a result, students often take rigorous courses such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment, and/or honors classes. They also participate in extracurricular activities and take on leadership roles within them. It’s great that students are taking the initiative in their coursework and becoming leaders in their community, but with pressures to maintain high grades, impressive standardized test scores, and a robust portfolio of extracurricular activities this can be overwhelming and lead to anxiety and burnout.
Identifying Unintentional Sources of Stress
Parental and peer pressure can unintentionally add to this stress. High standards can be set by parents who want the best for their kids, and peers may create a competitive atmosphere. Hearing comments like “What are you majoring in?” or comparing SAT scores to peers can induce anxiety.
Self-imposed stress is another important factor. Many applicants strive for excellence in all areas of the application process, thinking that any error could compromise their chances of being accepted. They compare previously accepted applicants’ stats with their own and worry that theirs don’t measure up. This drive for perfection can lead to excessive stress and anxiety.
Recognizing the Signs of Stress
Stress can manifest in many ways, including physical, emotional, and behavioral changes. Physical symptoms include headaches, exhaustion, and insomnia. Students may suffer from mood fluctuations, anxiety, and despair on an emotional level. Stress is also frequently indicated by behavioral changes, such as elevated anger, feeling “on edge”, inability to stop worrying, withdrawal from social activities, or changes in eating and sleeping patterns.
Coping Strategies for Teens
A key component of stress reduction is time management. Teens should set priorities for their work, make a calendar, and divide big projects into smaller, more doable chores. Using this strategy can help the workload feel less daunting.
Taking part in stress-relief activities is also beneficial. Teens should join activities they genuinely enjoy, not just activities that they think college admissions officers would love to hear. Engaging in physical activities such as yoga, jogging, or even a stroll might help lower stress levels. Other activities that promote relaxation and well-being include hobbies, meditation, and socializing with loved ones.
Advice for Parents and Educators
Parents and educators play a critical role in helping teens manage stress. 90% of the students surveyed by CollegeData, reported that they sought out advice and support from adults to alleviate stress. Parents can do this by creating open communication lines and ensuring that their teen knows that it is okay to make mistakes and fail. Teachers can help by creating a nurturing school environment and ensuring that they are receptive to students’ concerns. One of the more important tips is to foster an open line of communication. Parents and teachers of the teens should actively listen to the concerns of the teen. They should validate what these teenagers feel and avoid downplaying what they feel as simple stress.
Conclusion
The college application process can be very taxing, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s a process that students aren’t alone in. Knowing what stresses them and how to handle it better will give a teen a good walk-through during this time. Mental health should be made a priority; remember, college acceptances do not define one’s worth. Support from parents, educators, and peers can make all the difference in managing stress to ensure a healthier, more balanced approach to college admissions.
Authored By: Amari Bell, Mental H2O Youth Resource Writer
