How to Reduce the Stress of the College Planning Process

The pandemic that swept your community and all corners of the Earth created a lifetime of stressors in just a few short months.
 
Families had to quickly pivot their lives into virtual classrooms, virtual celebrations, and virtual communities.
 
The CDC instituted public health actions to mitigate the spread of the virus and reduce stress and anxiety. On their health page, they said that “coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.”
 
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America posted that an “estimated thirty-two percent of adolescents had an anxiety disorder.” ADAA also estimates that forty-four percent of college students experience depression.
 
When you consider the stress that high school upperclassmen and parents may feel when planning for college, this adds another level of anxiety to those families.
 
Take these three deep breaths to reduce the stress of college planning.
 
💨Deep breath 1: Know that what you are feeling is normal.
 
You are preparing to leave home for the first time in eighteen years.
 
You will be gone for at least four years.
 
You will return with a degree and a plan for the future.
 
You are becoming independent.
 
All of those feelings are normal, even without a pandemic.
 
Take a deep breath and enjoy the journey.
 
💨Deep breath 2: Know that you are not alone.
 
You are not required or encouraged to do this alone.
 
There are many free school district, state, and federal resources for you to use.
 
There are many fee-based consultants (or websites) ready to support your family like Higher Calling or other locally based consultant.
 
Take a deep breath and enjoy the journey.
 
💨Deep breath 3: Know that you will find a college to attend.
 
Niche.com surveyed 31,000 students in the fall of 2020. “Ninety-two percent said that they had some fear or anxiety associated with attending college.” They were worried about affording college and were afraid of making the wrong decision.
 
If you are not one of the sixty-six percent of students accepted to a four-year college, you can enroll in a community college or a technical school.
 
Remember the goal is to graduate with a degree, not graduate with deep debt.
 
Take a deep breath and enjoy the journey.