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College Application Stress, Future Anxiety, and Uncertainty

college application stress
college application stress

“It’s Time For College Application – What If I Don’t Know What’s Next?”

The applications were due in two days and my Common App was still blank.
Everyone around me seemed to have it all figured out.

“Early Decision to Yale.”
“Full ride to Georgia Tech.”
“Internship at some startup in Austin.”

And then there was me, sitting at my desk at midnight, staring at the blinking cursor in the “personal essay” box, wondering how I was supposed to explain who I am when I didn’t even know what I wanted next.

People say senior year is supposed to be exciting.
For me, it felt like standing in the middle of a crowded train station, watching everyone else race toward something while I stood still, clutching a bag of question marks.

The pressure to “figure it all out”

I didn’t mind not knowing for a long time. But suddenly, not knowing started to feel like failure.
Teachers started asking about my major. My parents wanted to know what schools I was applying to. Even friends I used to joke around with were talking about scholarships and future career plans with this sense of certainty I couldn’t fake.

I tried to push through. I filled out a few applications just to have something done. But it didn’t feel real. None of it did. I was just checking boxes, hoping I’d feel something eventually.

The truth is, I wasn’t lazy or lost.
I was just overwhelmed. And scared.

Because no one tells you how hard it is to make life decisions when you’re still figuring out who you are.

What helped me breathe again

  1. I stopped pretending I was fine
    One afternoon, I told my guidance counselor, “I don’t think I’m excited about any of this.” I expected her to push me, but she just nodded and said, “A lot of seniors feel this way. You’re allowed to not have it all mapped out.” That helped more than any brochure ever could.
  2. I realized college isn’t the end-all
    It took a while to believe this. But eventually I learned that where you go doesn’t define you—and not knowing your major at 17 doesn’t mean you’re behind. You’re just beginning.
  3. I started focusing on the next right thing
    Not the next ten things. Just the next one. Finish one application. Talk to one mentor. Take one deep breath. That’s it. That mindset saved me from spinning out.
  4. I let go of the timeline
    Everyone’s on a different clock. Just because your best friend knew what they wanted at 14 doesn’t mean you were supposed to. Your path isn’t late. It’s just yours.
  5. I let excitement grow slowly
    I stopped waiting for a “spark” and gave myself permission to just be curious. About writing. About psychology. About people. I didn’t need a five-year plan. I just needed something that felt honest.

If you’re standing in the same place…

If you’re the senior who doesn’t know what’s next—if your heart sinks every time someone asks what college you’re going to or what your plans are—please hear this:

You are not behind. You are not broken.
You are becoming. Slowly. Quietly. And in your own time.

It’s okay if the future feels blurry.
It’s okay if you don’t have a dream school or a dream job.
You don’t need all the answers right now.

You just need space to breathe.
And maybe a little trust that the person you’re becoming will figure it out—even if the person you are right now is still learning how.

Are you addicted? Are you under stress? Need to talk to someone? Text “HELLO” to 741741 or visit Crisis Text Line. Trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 to help you with your stress.

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