College admissions is becoming an increasingly stressful time for high school students. Between maintaining grades, participating in extracurricular activities, and completing college applications, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Managing this stress is crucial not only for your own well-being, but also for creating the strongest college applications that you can. Here are a few strategies to help you destress your planning process.
1. Create a Plan and Work the Plan
Organization is key to managing stress. Start by creating a detailed timeline of application- related due dates. Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of these dates and break down the larger tasks into smaller more manageable bite-sized pieces. For example, instead of trying to write your entire personal statement in one sitting, schedule time each week to draft, revise, and finalize your essay. (We recommend completing this by the end of July). Creating and following a plan helps prevent last-minute cramming and reduces anxiety.
2. Set Realistic Goals
It’s important to set achievable goals and avoid allowing perfection to be the enemy of good. Prioritize tasks and focus on what you can control. For instance, if standardized testing stresses you out, allocate more time to preparing for it but not at the expense of the other equally important pieces of your application (i.e., grades, essays and extracurricular activities).
3. Take Care of Your Health
Maintaining your physical and mental health is always important, and especially so during times of stress. Be sure to get enough sleep, eat well, and stay active both physically and socially. Exercise is a proven stress reliever and something as simple as a daily walk can help to clear your mind. If you walk with a friend you can add in some needed social fun.
4. Limit Social Media Use
Social media can be both a blessing and a curse during the admissions process. While it’s a great way to stay connected, it can also be a source of stress and distraction. Seeing posts about peers’ achievements or college acceptances can lead to unnecessary comparison and anxiety. Consider limiting your social media use, especially when you need to focus on applications. Remember, everyone’s journey is unique, and by focusing on your own college journey you can avoid some stress.
5. Focus on What Makes You Unique
While the college admissions process is competitive, don’t lose sight that colleges are looking for diverse individuals who bring their own unique experiences and perspectives. Focus less on being the person you think the college seeks and more on being your authentic self. By focusing on colleges that meet your needs, instead of the other way around, you can relieve some pressure. Take the time to highlight your passions, interests, and what makes you unique instead of trying to convince admissions counselors that you are someone you’re not.
It’s true that the college admissions process can be stressful. We hope that by implementing these strategies, you will be better able to manage the stress and maintain your well-being. If you’re interested in additional support and guidance form the Signature College Counseling team, please reach out. We help students and families through the entire college planning journey – from search, applications and essays to interview prep, financial aid consultation and final school selection.
Contact us at info@signaturecollegecounseling.com or by phone, 845.551.6946. We work with students through Zoom, over the phone and by email.
