The Effects of the College Process on Mental Health

Making a list of possible colleges and universities to apply to is the first step in the college application process. The rest of the process entails actually submitting applications to those universities and choosing which one to attend. This is one of the most important things to do since the college and major one choose can be the first stepping stones toward getting a job. It gets to the point where this college application process affects your mental health.

Continue reading to see how the college application can affect one’s well-being.

Different Impacts on One’s Mental Health

High school students throughout this process generally experience numerous instances of exhaustion since they have to find ways to balance their responsibilities, extracurricular activities, school work, and college applications. Many students find this overwhelming since one has to get all of their tasks done. This is also additional stress and pressure for those who strive for excellence.

In an article, LaKeisha Fleming, a prolific writer, stated, “Many of these kids have taken every possible advanced class, devoted countless hours to their extracurricular activities, and shelled out extra money for test prep tutors. Finding out that it was all not enough can be very depressing”. Depression, burnout, stress, and pressure are only some of the many impacts the college application process has on high schoolers.

Emotional Well-Being

The college process also takes a toll on how students feel about themselves. This may cause them to reconsider their worth and lower their self-esteem, especially if a college does not accept them or doesn’t do well on major tests like the SAT. The fear of not meeting the expectations they set for themselves can be overwhelming and cause mental distress.

Navigating the College Process and Mental Health

In an article by Harvard University, they list things not to do to ease yourself into this college admissions process, like “Don’t spend every dinner talking about college.” and “Pause and reflect if you find yourself spending too much time worrying or thinking.” Overall do activities as simple as taking a walk or self-care to get your mind off the college admissions process.

The college application process can be a relief once it’s completed, but during this process, one may struggle with your well-being. The college application process can cause mental turmoil in students. The important thing for students to do is find the right strategy or way of distraction so as not to feel overwhelmed.

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