How to Cope With the Stress Of College Applications

Graduating from high school opens up new doors, college topping the list.

College admission is a stressful time for many students and parents. The application process can be daunting, with deadlines looming and all the work that needs to get done. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find out what you need to do before or during this process.

We have put together some helpful tips about how to cope with the stress of college applications.

Why Is Applying For College So Hard?

College applications can be challenging for a number of reasons. You will have to apply to multiple schools (which adds more stress than just applying for one school). There is also a deadline pressure because you need to get your application in by a certain date (plus all your other admission materials) or your application will not be considered.

Finally, college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT complicate things even further since you first have to prepare for them and then write a stellar essay afterwards, which is quite stressful. All these aspects add up and create an overwhelming situation that can take years off your lifespan while increasing your blood pressure!

Let’s start with deadlines

Deadlines are a tricky bit. They usually seem to sneak up on you before you know it, so it can be easy to miss your deadline. But missing deadlines can do more harm than just not keeping the university in question happy.

Missing applications makes colleges less likely to consider you because they don’t see that you are dedicated enough to get all of your admission materials together by the deadline (which is sometimes at the end of January or early February for most schools). That does not mean that missing a deadline is okay.

Make sure that when every application asks for an exact deadline (because some have different dates) that you write it down and then put another copy in your wallet and another somewhere safe where there is no chance of it getting lost. Then, make sure that you stick to the application! Applying too late can do just as much harm as missing a deadline by only a week or so.

Multiple Applications

Now that we have talked about applying on time, let’s talk about multiple applications.

Multiple applications can be stressful because you have more to worry about when thinking of deadlines. You may also forget to put something in all your applications (like an extra essay for one school) which will make it obvious that they were not applied for at the same time.

A common way around this is to use the back page of your calendar and write down all of your deadlines right away (the main ones like SAT/ACT dates and application registration). Then put a sticker on the calendar page for every application you need to send in. You can check off your applications once they are sent so you know that you have everything done. Perhaps most importantly, make sure that you never use an old calendar (you don’t want to be using a 2015–16 calendar when it is now 2021–22). Also, if one deadline needs to be met by another (like applying to all of your colleges before taking the SAT), certain deadlines may require more effort and energy as well.

Also remember if any deadlines loom ahead of time, like ACT/SAT tests or application submission dates, and plan accordingly (so that say, if there is an essay due before any college applications are due, you have time to revise and submit the essay).

College Admission Anxiety and Depression Is On the Rise

Many students feel stress and anxiety about college applications because of a number of factors. College admission is never guaranteed, so it can be stressful to think that you may not get into your top choice school or even any school at all.

Another factor leading to greater anxiety is comparing oneself to other people (and feeling inadequate as a result).

In addition, too much time spent worrying about college can take away from more important endeavors in life. This unhealthy obsession with getting into college can lead some students to become depressed.

It is vital for stressed-out students to seek help so they do not fall victim to these gloomy emotions. Instead, try focusing on what makes you different and celebrate those qualities. The best way to find relief from the stress of college admission is to find out ways to reduce your worry so that you can relax and enjoy life as it comes.

How do I make my college application process easier?(5 Tips)

The college application process can be quite stressful, especially if you are aiming for a very selective school. To make this difficult process easier on yourself, follow these five tips when applying to colleges.

Step 1 – Take the SAT or ACT more than once

There is not much use in taking the same test over and over again (unless it was too early of a test). Instead, take one of those exams after your junior year while studying for the second time. If you do achieve higher scores, then saving older scores allows extra options with no penalty!

Step 2 – Don’t worry if your grades are dropping

This one may seem odd at first but think about it; there might be something wrong that needs to be fixed instead of assuming failure because of low grades. If this is the case, then working on improving your GPA can be worth it in the end (and who knows? Maybe you will start getting better grades as well!).

Step 3 – Try to figure out how your schedule affects your ability to apply

This step might be a bit harder because some students get caught up being “busy” and they lose track of what they should really be doing. Think carefully about how trying for an education affects other areas of life and make sure that planning time for applying isn’t stealing away hours from something more important to you.

Step 4 – Being accepted is not enough

The reason behind this point has to do with choice. Even if a given university fits a student perfectly, they should consider this point carefully. Better to be accepted and then not attend than the reverse.

After all, what if you get sick of it? What if something gets worse or better? Consider the bigger picture and where your life is going to go from there (and how much that school will affect that in the future).

Step 5 – Make sure college offers a unique experience

Many people apply just for the name or prestige of a school but consider what those things mean for you personally. Would spending four years there be worth it?

Is getting into this university worth making sacrifices in your life? It’s important to try answering these questions before applying.

Getting Into College 101: The Basics of Applying

1. School Listing: First, make a list of schools that you would like to attend. By doing this, you can go for more selective or less selective colleges based on personal preference.
2. Research: After listing the schools, research each one thoroughly; after all, you only get one shot per school to make sure that it is your top choice. Looking into dorms, clubs, and activities is also a great idea; most students wish they had done this earlier in their life.
3. Write an essay: Writing a good college essay can be hard because it needs to show why applicants are a good fit for certain universities. Though drawing inspiration from other essays may help with flow and wording, copy word-for-word (there’s no creativity whatsoever). Personalization is key!
4. Letters of Recommendation/Statement: The general rule for this step is to ask for letters from people who know you best. Parents and teachers are both good choices, though peers can be acceptable as well. A personal statement should detail what makes you a unique individual and help explain why your interests line up with the profile that the college wants (hint: saying that it’s a great school doesn’t make one stand out).
5. Application Fees: Though seemingly minor, application fees add up and may deter students from applying because of financial limitations. Easing this issue by applying early or via free methods such as Common App will save money and effort in the long run.
6. Wait: After submitting all other materials, the wait begins. The hardest part of this for students is that there is a chance of getting rejected by every school they apply to (or even just one); if this happens, then don’t take it too hard; success often follows trying again!
7. Acceptance/Rejection/Scholarship: All three outcomes are possible here so be prepared for anything. Be happy with what you get and don’t feel bad about not making the cut at any given place because those odds will improve in the future; applying more than once is an important step towards acceptance.
8. Financial Aid: If you got accepted into the college of your dreams via scholarship or grant, then you did well but don’t stop there. Consider filing for financial aid, as this can get you money to help pay for living costs or school supplies.
9. Accept/Decline: Deciding whether to accept the offer or not is a largely personal decision but should be based on several factors; include what appeals (or doesn’t) about that university and how well you think it fits your needs. If applying elsewhere, then make sure to decline early enough so that deadlines aren’t missed due to waiting.

Is It Normal To Cry In College?

Yes, it is normal. It is not because of you being homesick. Depending on the type of person you are, there are a variety of reasons why people cry in college; some that have nothing really to do with college life itself but just how certain things hit home for you personally. Others cry during hard times at school (such as midterms or finals) where they think their whole life is going down the drain and they won’t be able to make it out alive, even though this isn’t true.

In other cases, crying can happen due to personal problems one may be facing outside of school things like familial issues or health problems). There’s no right way to act when crying so go figure out what works best for you.

How Do You Deal With Stress In College?

Some students don’t do well when faced with stress, but some people feel invigorated and more focused. It’s important to know your own limits when handling stressful situations in college (and life).

Stress reduces mental acuity as it intensifies the production of adrenalin, which is a hormone that helps improve focus and reactions. With stress levels rising, it can reduce an individual’s ability to think clearly. This makes studying quite difficult during a time when grades are at stake. Here are several tips for dealing with stress:

1.Break Down Your Tasks

Try to keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed by the amount of work you must complete by breaking down assignments into smaller chunks; this way, tasks won’t seem too daunting or impossible to accomplish.

Look into other options when you feel overwhelmed. If the workload is too much, talk to your teacher or advisor about the situation and see if there are any other options that will relieve your stress and help with the task at hand.

Many schools have a center or department for helping those who are struggling with mental health issues; these areas may also be able to recommend ways to reduce stress through activities such as deep breathing exercises and meditation.

2.Socialize

See if there are any events on campus (such as free food) that could help break up your day. Those who experience high levels of stress should try looking into local recreational facilities, which sometimes offer similar services for lower prices than university-sponsored centers.

When it comes time to relax, make sure not to overindulge in recreational activities that will increase stress levels, such as drinking.

3.Take a Break

After studying, it’s important to switch up your routine by taking some time to relax so your brain can refresh and focus again.

Don’t study too intensely for too long without taking a break; see if there are other students or instructors that could help you with the process of breaking down tasks or difficult assignments.

To relieve stress levels even further, try deep breathing exercises or meditation techniques as these may reduce mental and physical tension. It’s also helpful to exercise regularly (especially after studying) since this allows one’s mind and body to rest and rejuvenate themselves for another day ahead.

What Happens When I Graduate From College?

After getting through all of the classes, assignments, and studying that go into college, students often have one question in mind: What happens when I graduate?  This is a normal concern for many students, especially since some of them may be starting out in an entirely new career or trying something completely different from what they have done up until this point.

Students who are concerned about the future should focus on the skills that they gained while attending college and examine how these can help them succeed in their future endeavors.

Those who don’t want to go to school after getting their degree could also look into other options, such as pursuing work experience (and even volunteer opportunities) through internships and part-time work. These experiences offer hands-on training and will give students more practical knowledge that they can use in their daily lives outside of school. There are also a variety of jobs that college graduates might enjoy so they should consider options in these areas as well.

If you feel like you aren’t ready to begin your future, it might help to think about all of the skills and knowledge that you’ve learned during college (especially during classes) so you can determine what career could be a natural fit for your skill set and personality.

This will also allow you to explore other alternatives if the first option doesn’t work out. It may seem daunting at first, but with some good ideas and patience, anything is possible!

Graduation Day: Tips For Surviving Your College Ceremony

Graduation day has finally arrived; now that all of the hard work is behind you, it’s time for the ceremony itself.  While graduation ceremonies are exciting events for all students, they are also ceremonies where nerves and anxiety can take over. This is why it’s important to follow these tips when attending graduation:

• Dress comfortably as the ceremony could last for a few hours. If you’re planning on wearing a gown, make sure it fits properly so it doesn’t get in the way of moving around, especially during dancing and celebrating afterwards!
• Avoid cramming too many items into your bag; pick out the necessary items instead since this will help reduce weight. It may be tempting to bring extra “just in case” items in your bag but this isn’t necessary. Instead of carrying all of these unnecessary things with you, leave them at home or give them to family and friends who’ll want to celebrate as well.
• You should also be prepared with a few tissues in your bag so you can wipe away any tears that may roll down your face during the event; those who are proud of themselves for reaching such a milestone will definitely shed some happy tears!
• Since this is a joyous occasion, make sure to take photos and videos while celebrating (you’ll want to look back on these moments later). To ensure that none of the important documents get lost or misplaced, put all of the items together such as your degree and cap/gown before putting them into your bag.
• When the time comes to walk across the stage or receive an award, you have one goal: reach it quickly! Don’t stop along the way to talk with other graduates, take a picture with family and friends, or congratulate other students. It may be tempting to stop along the way but don’t waste time doing so; remember that the ceremony is long and there are plenty of opportunities to mingle afterwards! Practice walking in your gown before graduation day so you aren’t tripping over the garment while moving across the stage. Also practice standing up straight on both feet as well as sitting down gracefully in your chair during the ceremony.

In addition to receiving their degree/diploma itself, college graduates will also receive a cap/gown, tassel, diploma cover (if they purchase one), and anything else that was promised by their school beforehand such as tickets for parades or parties afterwards.

Some schools will give a commemorative item to graduates such as a book, keychain or poster. Most of these items are optional but they can be nice additions that can add some flair to your overall graduation outfit!

Resources and References:

• Anxiety About College Applications
• Mental Health Issues
• Volunteer Opportunities