As the senior class embarks on their last year before college, a wave of stress has been pushed onto these students as they prepare for their future. Between completing applications on time, keeping up with all our classes, and maintaining stable grades, there is no shortage of challenges.
Senior Nareelanna Spiro commented, “I cannot even explain how stressed I felt during the application process, especially since it was around the same time that quarter one was ending and I was having a hard time choosing what schools I liked.”
For senior Chloe Steffick, her worries stemmed from a different angle. “I did feel pretty stressed when making my applications because it felt like I was putting all four years down on one application, and I wondered if I had done enough throughout my high school career.”
These were only a handful of student’s concerns. Senior Law DeNormandie commented on expectations and how the pressure from parents, teachers, and ourselves made the process that much more difficult, not to mention the costs of college and ensuring that the school we chose is not going to be too expensive.
As a majority of our applications have been sent in, some stress has been lifted from our shoulders–but that doesn’t mean it is all gone as the next wave comes in. Senior Jamal Merck said,“I feel that at first, stress was lifted off my shoulders, but now that I have to wait for some of my results, a sense of dread has cast over me in hope I get in, or in fear I get denied. I want to go to a school where my dreams can be formed and my future can look bright, yet the stress of if I don’t get into a good school is lingering with me at all times.”
While a majority of students go through the traditional application process, there were also a handful of students who were able to commit to a school for a sport, something that students had mixed feelings about. While some believe that committing for sports is an easier process, the strain these athletes endure to ensure the best performance can be equally as draining. There is no shortage of stress on our seniors, and it definitely has not disappeared since day one. When one weight gets lifted, another is added, and many fear that this will continue to be an issue until those acceptance letters are sent and the final decision is made.