No one ever posts about the reality of the college application process. I see lots of admission letter posts and celebrations, which is awesome, but never a post about the struggle. The college application process was BRUTAL for us. Not fun. Not one bit.
While I was so thrilled to share that all of Hailey’s blood, sweat and tears in school since Kindergarten have paid off and that she was accepted to every college she applied to…I want to real here and acknowledge what I’ve spoken about with many parents….the struggle is real.
I don’t know where she will choose to go next year but we have told her she does not have to go the traditional route. She can go to junior college, trade school, take a gap year, go serve on a mission trip, get a job…whatever.
I feel for kids these days. There is SO much pressure be an all around student not only academically with grades, test scores and AP classes, but also to be involved at school, outside of school and be able to write great essays. Then, there is an expectation that they go straight to college, especially in a community like ours, where most kids go away to a 4 year college right out of high school. Because going to college was such an incredible honor and blessing for us, that’s what we’ve always wanted for her too….but she is not us.
I’ve learned a handful of lessons from this process thus far….
- Don’t ask seniors where they are going to college next year. Ask them what their PLANS are for next year. Lighten the load and the pressure by choosing your words carefully.
- You don’t need to pay big bucks for a college counselor. I think it’s a great service if you can afford it, but we could not, so I am super encouraged that she did 90% of her application process by herself, and while it was painful, I reviewed her application and essays before she pushed submit….and she got into all the schools she applied to on her own….and received merit scholarships to each school.
- Just breathe. It’s one of the hardest phases of adolescence for sure.
- Keep the faith. I am on a major faith journey in this new chapter for sure, trusting that God has her, loves her more than I do, has a plan for her, and I will trust that He will direct her and provide for us as He always does.
So, I am clearly processing all of this out loud with you. Thanks for reading and letting me think out loud while celebrating my girl’s hard work and perseverance.
