Ever since I was in 6th grade, I’ve been fixated on the idea of going to NYU. It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember. Everything I do feels somehow connected to my college application, my grades, the clubs I join, and all the projects I work on. Sure, it’s also for my personal interests, but in the long run, it’s about college. I’m always thinking about how each of these things will help me get into NYU or even a more prestigious school. It’s like my whole high school experience revolves around getting accepted, and I’m constantly focusing on the right steps to take and the right choices to make so I can make that dream a reality. It’s hard to separate myself from the pressure of it all because everything feels like it’s tied to this one goal. 

Sophomore year is typically a time when students focus on adjusting to the academics of high school, meeting new friends, and discovering extracurricular interests. However, there has been a growing trend with many individuals already thinking about college, potential majors, and steps they need to take to get there. Certain questions constantly swirl in their minds. “What college am I going to go to?” “What major should I do?” “What classes do I take right now? “Which APs will make me stand out?”

At Niles North, the pressure to prepare for college has already begun to stress out the Class of 2027, despite the fact that these students are only in their sophomore year of high school. While college often seems like a distant thought for underclassmen, many students are finding themselves overwhelmed by the pressure to plan ahead, even though they have a few years until they have to worry about applications. 

A recent poll sent out to sophomores reveals that 92.6% of students already have potential majors and minors in mind. This statistic highlights the growing pressure on students to plan ahead for their futures, even at such an early stage of high school. 

For many students, the fear of not being unique enough to stand out in the competitive college admission process is an overwhelming concern. College applicants often demand that students highlight what makes them different from thousands of others applying for the same spots. 

“You have to stand out to colleges,” sophomore Alejandro Halter said. “It’s stressful to be one of a kind to colleges. Colleges aren’t going to admit the same kids over and over again. They want someone unique.” 

Another concern many students face is the fear of not leading a “successful” life or securing a good job after college. Many students feel if they don’t pick the correct path now, they may end up struggling later in life, whether that’s in finding a fulfilling career or a well-paying job. 

“I’m stressed out about college because if you don’t go to college your quality to lead a good life decreases because you need a job,” sophomore Yaeeta Lajin said. “College makes it easier to get a job, it makes it easier to survive.” 

The rising stress surrounding college applications and the future is not only affecting students’ academic focus but also their mental health. For many the constant worry of securing a place in a good college and selecting their “perfect” career path is taking a toll on their well-being. 

“Obsessing over college sometimes makes me lose sleep, which in return ruins my mental health,” Lajin said. “I try not to think about college but it’s the reason why I am in school. I go to school in hopes of going to a good college.”

The pressure to create the “perfect” schedule for the next school year is another aspect of college preparation that many sophomores are finding stressful. At this point in high school careers, students are often already thinking about how every decision will impact their college applications. Students still want to enjoy their high school experience, but they are starting to feel the weight of their future careers on their shoulders. 

81.5% of sophomore students say they plan their high school schedules based on their potential careers, showing how deeply the pressure to prepare for the future is affecting their current decisions. Additionally, 85.2% of sophomores think about college before making choices about which extracurricular to participate in. While it’s important to plan ahead, it’s equally important to remember that high school is a time to try new things, gain experience, and figure out what you truly enjoy. 

“During the week of my counselor meeting, I felt really stressed about picking my classes for next year,” sophomore Carys Racela said. “I want to stick with my hobbies like orchestra but also try to look good for college, that led me to swapping out many classes that I wanted to take for next year.” 

Teachers have observed an increasing number of students feeling stressed about college preparation. In response, educators are offering guidance to help students manage their stress, focusing on balance and perspective during their high school years and thinking about the good outcomes. 

“Well I can say don’t stress, but that never works for anybody,” Point Coordinator Cynthia Fey said. “That’s what anxiety is, ‘somethings gonna happen and it’s not gonna be good.’ I think what they can do if they can is focus on how super fun college is because it is really a fun time. So if you keep those in mind the ‘I have to do this’ or ‘I must do this’ or ‘I should do this’, or ‘I need to do this’, instead focus on ‘I get to travel’, ‘I get to look around at colleges’, ‘I get to choose what fits well for me’, ‘I get to choose my match’, ‘that’s all things I’m interested in,’ that keeps it as a more positive search than a drag.”

Even though stress can overtake students, it’s important to remember that college shouldn’t define you or your worth. Students should take time to enjoy the high school experience, focus on things they are really passionate about, and not feel like every decision they make is solely to impress colleges. Senior Jonah Diehl emphasizes that underclassmen should not be stressed about college as they have a long way to go. 

“In my opinion, underclassmen shouldn’t be as stressed for college especially if you’re a freshman or sophomore,” Diehl said. “High school is a time for learning and figuring out what you want to do and I feel like if you already have goals on what you want to do and if you try to fit into those goals, you’re going to be unhappy like in college and for the rest of your life.”

Diehl also remarked that it doesn’t matter where you go to college, as long as you do well and have opportunities.

“Where you go to college doesn’t matter as long as you do well and have opportunities, like if you go to OSU versus Iowa State. It probably doesn’t matter. You’re probably going to get a job, you’re probably going to lead a successful life, and as long as you’re happy that’s like really the only thing that matters.” 

The pressure to plan for college early is overwhelming many sophomores, but it’s crucial to remember that high school is a time for personal growth and exploration. Focusing on happiness and well-being, rather than stressing over the future will ultimately lead to a more fulfilling path to success.

“I feel like high school is a good opportunity to get a head start,” sophomore Martin Hernandez said. “It’s definitely a little stressful, but all the stress will pay off in the end when I go to a good college.”