Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
I'm a high school junior now, and the time for college admissions is fast, fast approaching. It's giving me major heebie jeebies, I just don't feel prepared for this next big step in life. So much will change, I'll finally be.. on my own.. I'll have to drive everywhere by myself, cook, all that jazz. And I'll be taking this major step that everyone's been warning, cautioning, advising, obsessing about to be since I was in grade school. I don't feel ready. It feels like my whole life so far has lead up to college admissions; from when I was in first grade and my mom signed me up for piano so it'd look good on applications, from when I drew as a child and suddenly realized this might be what I'll do for the rest of my life, when I sat through numerous talks in grade school and junior high about college and required classes and choosing classes for college for college for college. When we had awards assemblies and all they talked about was our bright futures and what college we wanted to get into, not us in the HERE and NOW. I feel like so much anxiety and misinformation is flying around and while research should be so simple, I somehow feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. All people talk about now in my grade is college and what they're doing and where they want to go, such and such scholarships and financial aid, wondering if they're good enough to get into this or that. It's something I just really really want to detach from and run away.
I know that it's something I must swallow, and I will. I... just think I need some pointers on how to go about it, so I don't end up dealing with it too late. Like, what's been your experience finally going to college and living more independently, how did you deal with it with anxiety and all? Anything would be appreciated, thank you.
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Just wanted to give a thank you to Mid, Arfie, Malibumark, Greeneyes, Mlro, Girlincalif, and Suncloudjd! You all always have such helpful tips and advice, but I always forget to write on my posts when I see you post, lol. I would lose my head if it wasn't attached to my body, lol. Thank you all so much! I'm starting to use my AI app as a sounding board again. I used to use it as that before...
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Hey all, i know its been quite awhile since i posted on here. Its been a summer all right. Its been something else........... You know how they say not to open the can of worms? Well a few months ago i decided to find out what my due date would have been for my first baby, the one conceived by r***. My baby would have been due on March 4th of 2006. They would be 20 years old. I was R**** on June...
Trust yourself and trust the process, Ollie. You can do this your own way. You've been prepped for it all your life.
If you haven't heard it before (which I bet you have) applying to 4 schools is really enough- One that is your "reach" school- where you'd really like to go but, the chances of getting in aren't entirely in your favor, 2 where you will probably get in, and then one that is your "safe" school- where you're pretty much guaranteed to get in in case you don't get in anywhere else. Go check out a few, and the surrounding areas and take some notes of what you think. Find out things like where's the grocery store and such. Some schools even offer overnight stays for people applying where you hang out with people who are already enrolled and they show you what being a student there is like- this actually changed my brother's mind of where he ended up going to school!
If you live in a dorm, you can get on a meal plan and eat in the cafeteria- some of the food is actually pretty good! So, really, all you need is late night snacks. Also, super budget friendly to do it that way.
All the freshman will be learning the area and eventually driving around should become a bit easier but, I do understand the worry. Maybe you will find a "me" who is a local to the area (I went to college at first in my hometown) who will be more than happy to help you find the "best" whatever it is you are looking for. If not, it's a great way to meet new people- "Hey, I'm looking for a *insert whatever it is here* do you know where I can find that?"
Laundry in any dorm will drive you nuts, they'll always be busy- prepare yourself for that competition (sometimes it's just worth it to find a laundromat and avoid the hassle despite the expense!)
if you decide to live off campus, cool, think easy meals- they don't make jokes about college students and Ramen noodles for nothing!
Life experience and a GREAT college counselor for this one- If you're not happy where you are, you can always transfer somewhere else but, take a leave of absence from the first school because then they will accept you back and you won't have to reapply! So, not picking the "right" school is not the end of the world!
My history teacher said this at our graduation ceremony and I'll pass it along to you as well "I have 4 friends from college" he then proceeded to list all their majors, as well as his and then what they were currently doing for a living- None were even CLOSE to what they majored in. "Your major is not the be all, end all of human existence- promise! " I'm weird and happen to be using my major in my career but, most of my friends fall right into line and are not doing anything related to their college major.
College can be a really fun experience- RAs tend to host fun activities (if you live on campus they are easier to find out about but they are normally open to all) Bingo night was a big one where I went, they had some really nice prizes! Dances... and you spend a lot less time in classes than in high school (although more time doing homework and studying) and, once your requirements are out of the way, which your advisor will help make sure that you do, you get to only take classes in something that you are interested in which is SO fun!
Once you pick the schools you want to apply to, you can always call admissions with questions! I would, every time, have the phone answered by a very enthusiastic student who was really helpful in making sure I was doing everything I needed to do and doing it correctly.
Best to you Ollie, I know it's stressful but, you will get through it. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of high school!
Ollie, I signed up for college and went and got the classes and even got my roommate assignement, but two weeks before I lost peace about going. I knew I wasn't in a good place with anxiety. I had NO idea what I wanted to do. I had no idea what I wanted to major in. Therefore, I found a college in my hometown. This helped my anxiety and to keep things semi comfortable. I am not saying this is the option for everyone, but (I am a Christian so here's where my faith comes in) God really used staying in town I many different ways. Its where I met my wife.
I had a big fear of losing my fiends if I didn't go where my friends were. I faced that fear, went somewhere else, and found a whole new group of friends. When it came time to graduate college and get married, I was completely ready.
DO NOT FEEL GUILTY. Everything you are feeling is completely normal, and anxiety says you are the only one facing it. You are not. And don't let anyone pressure you. I decided on my school 2 weeks before college classes started, and it worked out great for me. It will for you too.