Every year, seniors complain about high stress levels as they manage their heavy class schedules while applying to colleges.
Only until this year, as a first semester senior, did I actually understand and personally feel this stress.
My stress has consistently been at a high during the past three and a half months; only after submitting my early application have I finally felt my work load lessen slightly.
I know that some of my peers use the high-pressure environment as motivation to get good grades and finish college applications.
But for others, myself included, this pressure leads to unmanageable stress, anxiety, and an unsustainable way of living for a semester.
Why do we put ourselves through this kind of stress? It’s a reflection on our society, our community. Most of us prioritize school over everything else, including sleep, friends, physical and mental health, and taking time to do what we love. Our society tells us that going to a top college is the only way to succeed in life. If we don’t get into a good college, we won’t find a good job, and then we won’t have money.
This mentality can lead to embellishment on college applications. Some laugh over the fact that they embellish their activities and accomplishments in order to seem better qualified for the college.
But what does it mean to be “qualified” for a certain college? Test scores and GPA are large factors, but how else do colleges judge a “good fit?”
If we lie and embellish our accomplishments on college applications, is the college seeing us for who we really are? Where do the lies end?
Parents who basically write their child’s college essay and students who aren’t being truthful to colleges perpetuate the cycle. We justify these actions when we see everyone else doing it too. My uncle thought it was funny that he wrote his daughter’s college essay. This scared me and I didn’t laugh when he told me.
Why has college become such a big deal that people literally lie and cheat to get into a specific school? Does it really matter that much?
I originally succumbed to the high expectations that I held for myself to be perfect in every subject and aspect of life in order to be accepted to my dream school. However, it’s crucial to take a step back from the process to realize that college is not everything.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter what college you’re accepted or not accepted to. It’s hard to tell students to spend more time doing the things that makes them happy. I know I didn’t follow this advice or mentality throughout high school.
If I had stuck with my passions at an earlier age, rather than dropping everything to get As, I would know what makes me happy and be able to pursue it throughout college and life beyond.
Lying on college applications will not serve you well. If a college denies you, accept that it’s not a good place for you because why would you want to spend four years at a school that doesn’t want you. It sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. Stop prioritizing school over your mental wellness for the sake of getting into a “good” college.
