Part of being the best student you can be is taking care of yourself. Below are some tips to not only cope with but flourish under the pressures that can come with college applications!

Handling the Stress of Senior Year

As if high school were not already demanding enough, applications and other stressors tend to pile up around senior year. I understand that stress; here are some tips to help you get through it:

Don't Equate Your Success to Your Self-Worth

You are likely going to be accepted to programs, waitlisted from colleges, and rejected from opportunities. There is going to be a lot of judgement passed upon you by people you've never even met, and as students, it's easy to let our successes and failures dictate how we feel about ourselves. But it's also unjust and incorrect to do so.

When you receive a rejection, remember that the judges and admissions officers don't know you. As much as you can try to put yourself on a page in your applications, these people do not know your full story. They judge opportunities like admissions and scholarships by looking at incredibly specific criteria (that often include factors beyond your control!) and have considerations other than your qualifications in mind. You can also look at a rejection as an opportunity to learn and grow, and a chance to come back even stronger in your next application!

If you're feeling down about an application's result, I suggest taking time to reconnect with the things that matter most right now: Your family, friends, passions, and the other multitude of things that bring you joy. 

Plan from a Bird's Eye View

During the peak of application season, it might feel like you have a billion things going on at once. Remember, though, that life will go on beyond that stress. You will have senior events, acceptances, and other future successes. And, regardless of what path you end up taking after high school, you will get through the stressors of right now. 

Plan for the future, looking at your "mental calendar" from a long-term perspective!

Make Time for Self Care

It's easy to get lost in the flood of work you might be dealing with, so put some extra consideration towards your mental health -- you deserve it. Go for walks, take bubble baths, bake cookies with your friends -- do whatever you do that makes you happy. 

Also focus on your self care. Ensure you are eating properly, sleeping enough, and taking care of your basic needs.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health During College

For many students, college means living without a guardian, balancing new responsibilities, and really “adulting” for the first time. As Spider-Man once (sort of) put it, with great freedom comes great responsibility, and especially at first, this new situation can be really overwhelming. Here is my advice: 

Stay Connected to Your Roots 

During my first year away, I talked to my family every day. They supported me through my homesickness and kept me grounded to the place I come from. They really were a cornerstone of my first year. Even if you are unable to talk to your family, stay in touch with your friends and mentors from high school! 

Care For and About Yourself

It is easy to get swept up in the bajillion opportunities college comes with. However, it is imperative that you make time to take care of yourself. Allow time at night to wind down, take care of your personal hygiene, and breathe before the next day. 

Additionally, set yourself up for success by making informed decisions. Weigh out the pros and cons of each choice you make to reach a more informed conclusion. For example, would it make sense to go out on a Tuesday night before a big exam? Maybe not, but socializing on a weekend when you have fewer responsibilities would make for a great break!

Plan as Much as You Can for as Much as You Can 

Between planning when to study, when to do homework, when to work, when to take study breaks, when to meal plan, and when to take care of my other responsibilities, my calendar app is chalk-full! As "scary" as it is to look at a busy calendar, though, scheduling my weeks in advance makes it incredibly easier to balance everything I need to do. Planning for everything means I have one less "variable" to worry about during my day, and it allows me to get a sense of my week before it happens. I highly recommend using some form of calendar to keep track of your schedule! 

Utilize Your Resources

Colleges often offer free wellbeing services and mental health care. At my school, for example, students can get free ear plugs for sleeping, meditation app subscriptions, and even a limited number of therapy sessions (among other resources). When you first get to your school, talk to your orientation leader, residential advisor (RA), or another staff member about what resources your college can offer you!