Many students today face immense pressure when applying for colleges.  Most of us feel compelled to apply to only “good” colleges that are highly ranked and prestigious- but this pressure pulls us away from the ones that are tailored to our interests and needs.  However, this “finish line” is just a virtually binding standard normalized in our pathway to college.  It is important to understand that attending a highly-rated college does not necessarily guarantee success or happiness- while competition may help us improve our weaknesses, everyone’s life journey is unique, and making decisions that align with our individual goals and aspirations is crucial for self-development and esteem.

We are constantly thinking about the looming but imminent “finish line” that is college and what it will provide us in the future- to us, success means good grades, good college, good job.. but is this our only path?  Why are we put to such high standards as early as our freshman year of high school, pressured to take the hardest classes because it increases our chances of being into a college that we don’t actually want to attend, that doesn’t align with our desires and strengths?  Millions of teens throughout the country feel the same way, growing up carrying the burden of reaching that “finish line” that we call success.  It is the foundation of our constant feelings of uncertainty and anxiety that lead to poorer physical, social, and emotional health. So, how do we deal with it?  There is an article I stumbled upon during my research from the National Institute of Health.  The article discusses how adolescence is a critical period for identity development, influenced by exploration and commitment.  It highlights Erikson’s psychosocial theory and Marcia's identity status model, which emphasize the importance of exploring different roles to get a better understanding of the endless opportunities presented to you.  The article argues that adolescent identity development significantly influences career decision-making and that individuals with a strong sense of identity are more likely to make informed career decisions that align with their values, interests, and abilities.

As students enter high school, the pressure to build their college resume and rack up on achievements and extracurriculars increases dramatically.  In Ana Homayoun’s book “Erasing the Finish Line”, she writes how “it is a common misperception that reflects our misunderstanding about college as a “finish line” to kids’ development both personally and academically.”  Starting as early as your freshman year, or even middle school, students are told that grades are the utmost priority.  This pressure may drive us to do things that merely stick to the “status quo” and are not related to what we truly want to do in our lives.  Our sense of identity is lost in the competitive environment we come to everyday, school.  In Jeremy Bauer-Wolf’s article “Over Half of Students Rank College Applications as Their Most Stressful Academic Experience”, he states that “More than 60% of students reported that college application advice had overwhelmed them, and nearly half said they felt pressured to apply to colleges they weren’t interested in attending.”  Why is it that we are pressured to have a clear understanding of who we are and what we want to be at such a young age?  Even though competition with our peers encourages us to keep up and become more well-rounded, not all of us progress at the same pace.  We lose sense of who we want to be, because of the notion that it is better to follow the group and make decisions that appeal to others instead of ours.  Because of this, it is ultimately crucial to understand that it is okay to disregard what everyone else is doing and focus on yourself.  This authentic version of you is what will allow you to do well in the future, regardless of people’s opinions.  The pressure of the “projected path” shouldn’t be the only thing that shapes your future- taking your unique path and doing what makes you happy is in the end what will truly reflect your values.

Feeling limited to such a narrow range of options in life limits our opportunities for growth and exploration.  Every individual has their strengths and weaknesses.  If we are bound to a single pathway, how will we find what career benefits us the greatest?  The number of colleges available to us is more than a handful for a reason- it is here where diversity thrives and allows for further growth on our topic of interest.  By fixating solely on a limited range of “good” colleges, we risk overlooking schools that are better suited to us, schools that provide a supportive environment with like-minded peers.  Additionally, the college experience is not solely defined by its prestige but by the opportunities it provides for an individual’s personal development.  By acknowledging the broader spectrum of resources available for pursuing our passions, we will lead a more fulfilling and curated life than we would have from being confined by narrow definitions of success.

Ultimately, it is vital to remember that prestigious colleges don’t necessarily guarantee success or satisfaction.  While competition and peer pressure may be a motivating factor that helps us address our weaknesses, everyone’s life journey is unique, and it is important to make choices that align with our objectives and aspirations.  Don’t be afraid to stray from the norm and take the path most valuable to you because, in the end, these decisions will shape your identity.