As the long awaited college application season approaches for the class of 2024, it is important to note the value of putting your health above all else. While the thought of being accepted into a prestigious university can be tempting, remember to slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy your final year in high school at the same time.
Depending on different cultures and environments, college application season will either be a nightmare or a sigh of relief for students across the nation this year as it means entering a new stage of life. For many, getting into an Ivy League is a matter of life and death, and it is certainly not an easy process. Thousands of students dedicate their four years in high school studying for a perfect SAT or ACT score, taking 11+ AP courses, attaining officer positions in numerous clubs, excelling in hobbies, garnering 200+ volunteer hours, participating in competitions, doing research projects, and establishing non profit organizations. All their hard work ultimately boils down to this year and one college decision. However, it can also be easy to lose yourself to stress in the process.
The stress of college applications mainly comes from influences around us in both school and family in order to gain a sense of validation from the title of a prestigious college. The peer pressure in competitive high schools can especially affect students and cause them to overexert themselves to a breaking point. Often, many go as far as to create a passion project they are not passionate about or help struggling people for the sole purpose of the resume. Despite this constant battlefield called college applications, it is important to take care of yourself first and foremost.
At the end of the day, what college you go to may potentially benefit you in the future, but as long as you put in the hard work and passion, you are capable of succeeding no matter where you go. Whether it be community college or an Ivy, what determines your success is how happy you are with where you end up. A single number from an AP test does not define your worth, the rank of your university will not set your future in stone, and what others think of you will definitely not matter 20 years from now.
Overall, if college application season is the most crucial point in your life at the moment, take a step back and ask yourself what actually matters most to you and why you want to pursue your current focus. Your health should be at the top of the priority list. As a result, make sure to cherish your last year of high school before you can regret it, and always remember to put yourself first. No validation or future benefit is worth sacrificing your well being.
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