Let's talk about something that doesn't get discussed enough: the mental health toll of college applications.

I've watched brilliant, confident students crumble under the pressure of application season. The comparison, the uncertainty, the fear of disappointing parents — it's a lot.

Signs You Need a Break:

• You can't sleep because you're thinking about applications
• You're snapping at family and friends
• You've lost interest in activities you used to enjoy
• You feel like your worth is tied to where you get in
• You're constantly comparing yourself to classmates

What Helps:

1. Set boundaries. Designate application-free hours every day. Your brain needs rest.


2. Move your body. Exercise is the most underrated stress reliever. Even a 20-minute walk helps.


3. Talk to someone. A counselor, a trusted adult, a friend. You don't have to carry this alone.


4. Keep perspective. In 10 years, where you went to college will matter far less than what you did there.


5. Celebrate small wins. Finished an essay? That's worth celebrating. Submitted an application? That's huge.

A Message to Students:

You are not your college acceptance letter. You are not your GPA. You are not your test scores. You are a whole person with value that no admissions committee can measure.

Take care of yourself first. The applications will get done.