The Columbus School as a whole is supporting its seniors to completely manage the stress of the whole process of college applications providing each a personalized support, though students and parents still believe there is room for more mental health-focused initiatives.
As seniors at The Columbus School are faced with the overwhelming task of applying to universities, the school provides resources like counseling and college guidance to calm them and clarify what the future holds for their next steps. However, both students and parents feel that stronger mental health programs could be implemented to better go through these high-pressure steps of defining their future lives.
“The application process brings a lot of anxiety, especially near deadlines. We try to give students the tools they need to manage it,” Maria Teresa, 12th grade school counselor, said.
The school has developed systems for the guidance of students through the sometimes chaotic process of college applications. They offer organizational support, counselors not only help seniors stay on top of deadlines but also reduce some of all the anxiety associated with planning and decision-making in a fast paced motion, due to short periods of application times. This strategic approach tries to release some of the pressure, while also having to mantain the process of applying to universities both locally and abroad.
“Dina has been really helpful. Guiding me and helping me develop a schedule for my college applications has definitely reduced my stress,” Manuela Isaza, senior, said.
While organizational support has been an inmence help and relief for many, it is not even close to addressing all the big challenges seniors face during this critical time. Beyond meeting deadlines, students also have to cope with the emotional anxiety of waiting for responses, competing with their classmates, and meating all their personal expectations. For many, finding personal coping mechanisms has been just as important as the external support provided by the school.
“Journaling has really helped me deal with stress, especially during this period when my mind is almost fully focused on college applications,” Manuela Isaza, senior, said.
In addition to individual coping strategies, families play an integral role in helping students manage the emotional ups and downs of the college application process. Parents often find themselves balancing encouragement with advice, trying to provide emotional comfort while guiding their children toward important decisions.
“For me, the most important thing is my daughter’s happiness. If I see that something is affecting her, I try to help her distance herself from it,” Margarita Ramirez, Manuela’s mother, said.
While The Columbus School has done much to ease the stress of college applications through its counseling and organizational support, some parents believe there are gaps in the mental health resources available to seniors. A common concern is the need for better career guidance to help students match their interests and strengths with future job paths, reducing the stress of making such big life decisions.
“The school lacks real vocational guidance. There should be someone to help them discover what they like and translate that into a career or professional goal,” Margarita Ramirez, Manuela’s mother, noted.
As the school reflects on how to further support its seniors, there’s growing recognition of the need for more targeted mental health initiatives. Students and parents alike are calling for workshops and programs that focus specifically on managing stress, building resilience, and making informed decisions about the future.
“Staying busy has been the best strategy I’ve used to avoid burnout… I’ve learned how to not procrastinate by getting to work as fast as I can,” Manuela, senior, reflecting on her personal approach.