5 Tips to Manage Test & College Admissions Anxiety

Make a plan

The most important part of managing a daunting project such as SAT preparation or the college admissions process is to approach the overall goal in bite sized pieces. Instead of asking yourself, “how am I going to get my dream score?” or “how am I going to get into college?”, ask “what can I do today to get started.” Making a plan often involves creating a list of safety, target, and reach schools while filtering for your preferences. Going though and seeing what you need to do to apply to each of these schools, from essays to test scores, is also important. But most importantly, recognizing that college admissions takes months and having a plan of approach gives tremendous reassurance. 

Get informed

The most daunting challenge can be when you don’t know what you are up against. And ultimately, everyone’s college journey is different. Because of this, it is important to do your own research, and find schools that offer what you are looking for. Key things to look for include: Range of standardized test scores among admitted students, location, size, strength of program (e.g., if you are looking to study engineering, make sure to select schools with strong engineering programs), school culture, and extracurriculars. It’s unlikely that you’ll find a school to fit every desire perfectly, but every school has unique attributes.

Just do your best

A common pitfall for students approaching college admissions is the “battle for perfection.” Luckily, however, colleges don’t expect perfection! Instead of overloading yourself with unachievable expectations, just do your best. In fact, worrying too much can often have a detrimental effect on students. Take a deep breath and know that there are many good options for colleges and where you end up going is not the “end-all, be-all” that is sometimes portrayed.

Get support where you can

Whether from parents, friends, or school, reach out to as many connections you have that could help you navigate the complex process. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised with the different tips people can offer and the help available to you. Know you are not alone, and millions of students around the country apply for colleges every year, so there is definitely help out there if you look for it!

Take care of yourself

A little bit of self care goes a long way. This means take some time to relax, make sure you get enough sleep, and make healthy choices. At the end of the day, how can you expect to perform if you don’t take care of your body? Everyone has their own way of relaxing and pacing themselves, and finding your balance is important.