LOS ALAMITOS, CA – Seniors are currently undergoing the challenge of waiting on college applications, and this stress has been weighing down on them as they approach the end of the fall semester. Students at Los Alamitos High School know that college is approaching soon and that this will be the end of their years in high school. Especially with finals next week, figuring out where they want to apply and submitting applications adds a lot to seniors’ stress.
College applications and strict deadlines
Applying to college can be a thrilling experience for seniors because it signifies an end to their adolescence and a start to a new chapter in their young adult lives. As with any new start, there comes a significant amount of stress. According to Arizona State University, stress on students becomes higher each year due to the application process starting earlier instead of getting pushed back. It’s important for students to consider starting application months before they are due, that way they can secure letters of recommendation in ample time, and their teachers don’t feel rushed.
The main reason for senior stress
One of the main contributing factors to students feeling pressure at this time of year is fear of rejection. When anyone wants something tremendously, like a certain life pathway, they feel anxiety, fearing that it will not work out. According to therapist Jenn Nasser, the thought of getting accepted into one’s dream college would make any high school student feel instantly exhilarated, but the feeling of rejection can cause a student to instantly shut down and feel as if there will be no other opportunities.
Ways seniors can cope with this stress
Often, when students are under stress, the easiest coping mechanism is to stop focusing on their schoolwork and slack off, but, in the end, this just contributes to the pressure and creates more of a problem. Since seniors are working so hard on their applications and awaiting their responses from colleges, some forget about their current work in their other classes. Unfortunately, with finals coming up, now is not the time for grades to start declining.
A good way to tackle this stress is to take some short moments of self care and breathing. Harvard Summer School recommends that teens do not ignore their physical health during high levels of stress but instead, eat meals regularly, exercise, and get adequate sleep. If seniors at Los Al are experiencing extreme pressure at school with college stress and the normal anxiety from schoolwork, students should take the opportunity of the campus WellSpace and try to relax their minds.
How seniors across campus are feeling
The week before finals, there is an excessive amount of tension on campus.
“Honestly, I’m so burnt out at this time, and college is the only thing I’m looking forward to. But it’s been hard because I already know where I’m going now, so I see the rest of high school to be a bit pointless,” says Sasha Manfro, a senior at Los Al.
“The end of the semester has been stressful, and the idea of college isn’t that stressful because I got accepted into the college I want to go to,” said Skaylar Quionez Bereta, another senior.
Seniors, now more than ever, need to take time for themselves and take breaks between college applications and schoolwork so that they can maintain an overall calm demeanor for their last year.
