Wolverines View, presented by Dream Spa Medical – Navigating The College Pressure Cooker: A High Schooler’s Take

SAT’s, clubs, sports, good grades, and more. College preparation seems to never end. As juniors we begin to ask ourselves the questions: “Is this school a reach?”, “What GPA is this school looking for?”, “Do I want to go far away or stay local?”  

The constant questions seem daunting and can create a great amount of pressure. However, there are many ways to navigate these exciting yet stressful times. I have found a great amount of support from my teachers and counselors even as I am only in the beginning stages of my college journey. Meeting with your guidance counselor to discuss how to use Naviance, course selections, and other questions you have about college and beyond can be very helpful. Additionally, the types of courses you take throughout high school are very important as they can greatly determine the workload, and in return, the pressure you put yourself under.  

Varsity Soccer goalie, Italian Club co-president, and Model UN member, Alessia Chilangwa ‘26, has found that, “learning to balance the workload and stress of high school can be tough, but it is beneficial to fill up your schedule with classes and activities that you enjoy, because it’s easier to stay motivated when you have a genuine interest in what you spend your time doing.”  

This is great advice to any freshman or sophomore unsure of what classes to take and how to stay motivated throughout high school while navigating the everyday stress of life.  

Being stressed is usually a result of being overwhelmed, and that stress can affect the mind and body. However, there are ways to suppress the stress. Allowing yourself time for a mental reset can greatly benefit one’s physical and mental wellness. Drinking enough water, eating healthy, getting a proper amount of sleep, and exercising are important in maintaining a strong mental and physical state. When overwhelmed with a great amount of stress I have found that simply going for a walk outside allows me to clear my mind.  

The American Psychological Association explains how exercise “mitigates the negative effects of chronic stress on the mind and body”, and “many experts believe routine exercise is as powerful in treating anxiety and mood disorders as antidepressants.”  

Personally, running for the cross country and track team has allowed me to release stress at the end of a long school day and spend time with some of the most wonderful teammates and coaches. Varsity Softball player, President of Mock Trial Club, Student Council member, and Model UN chair, Madeline McMann ‘26, says, “I make sure that I don’t get too burnt out. I find that keeping myself aware of how I’m feeling and being kind to myself is the best way to deal with stress.”  

Throughout the stress of high school and the college-planning process, there are many causes of anxiety. Model UN and Mock Trial Club member, Helen Prevazi ‘26, has found that, “test-taking has caused a great amount of stress, and planning through my techniques is the most efficient way to study and give myself enough time without overloading.”  

Preparation is vital to drive your success as high school workload begins to increase and the college-planning process begins. The school provides many resources to help students navigate through this stress. Speaking with a NHS (National Honors Society) student during S-Block to discuss courses or to receive peer tutoring, signing up for a teacher’s S-Block to assist in tutoring or discuss courses, meeting with your guidance counselor, using Naviance to review various colleges and potential majors, or visiting the library for various databases and research, can help to provide the support you need.  

President and founder of the Premier League Club, co-president of the Fitness Club, co-vice president of the Photography Club, and soccer referee, Skyeler McCaskill ‘26, says that, “using Naviance’s resources is fantastic. In the Naviance website you can save the colleges you like and rank them based on how interested you are in them. It’s a great way to keep track of which colleges you are most interested in. The website also tells you the average test scores and GPAs of each school compared to yours: which was very helpful in categorizing schools as safeties and reaches.”  

There is a lot to digest when it comes to college preparation and increasing school workload, however it is important to take a minute to breathe and trust the process. Varsity Basketball and Track athlete, Abby Law ‘25, suggests that, “when it comes to college applications try to get them in as early as possible so you have time to balance it with other activities and school work.”  

Abby further reflects on how, “even though there might be a lot of work, try not to stress over it too much. Enjoy your high school experience and make memories because it goes by fast.”  

The pressure of school and college can feel consuming, but it is important to remember you are not alone throughout the journey of high school. Taking the time to reflect, seek help, and prepare, will ultimately lead to your success.  

Sources: https://www.apa.org/topics/exercise-fitness/stress (The American Psychological Association)