How to Preserve Your Well-Being When Applying for College
As the daughter of a high school guidance counselor, I knew all about the ins and outs of applying to college when the time came. Still, that did not make me immune to the elevated stresses and responsibilities that accompanied the process.
The college application time can be one of the busiest and most stressful times in one’s life. There are applications, essays and school visits, in addition to the constant pressure for good grades for an impressive transcript.
In fact, 76% of students surveyed by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) consider the college application process a life-defining moment, and more than half named it is the single most stressful academic experience they had faced thus far.
This is why students must do everything they can to protect themselves during this hectic time, so they can put their best foot forward when preparing for their future.
We talked to the experts to determine the best strategies that will help preserve your well-being when applying for college.
Begin Early
It is critical that you begin the college application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time.
Today, Danneil Mubbala is a student at the University of Pittsburgh, but she recalls the college application process all too clearly. “When I reflect on my experience as a high school senior, one of the most effective things I did was spread the work out over time,” she says. “Instead of cramming everything into the fall, I began writing my essays in the summer, requested letters of recommendation early, and applied to scholarships throughout the entire year.”
Communicate
Communication can also play a big role in lowering stress levels.
"When the college process ramps up, we encourage families to put guardrails in place so it doesn't take over daily life,” says Lindsay Tanne Howe, Founder and CEO of LogicPrep. “Our advisors suggest designating a specific time to talk about college so it doesn't bleed into every interaction. Maybe it is Thursday night dinner or car rides to soccer practice. Outside of that window, college talk is off limits.”
Dr. Stacy Haynes, Ed.D., LPC, ACS, is a Counseling Psychologist and the proud mom of two college students. She shares her experience. “With my two children, we used a spreadsheet and had weekly check-in for the process on Sundays to make sure not to overload anyone and not to miss any applications. This weekly check-in allowed for honest conversations about schools, how many applications were needed that week and our expectations of each other in the process.”
She had great success with this approach, saying, “I am glad to say I survived two college application seasons, and both of my children are in their dream schools.”
Leverage Resources
Several resources can help students with the college application process.
SAT/ ACT preparation courses
College workshops
Coalition for College
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
College Navigator
BigFuture
EducationPlanner.org
College Scorecard
The College Board and Magoosh also offer free or affordable resources you can use.
For help with financial aid and scholarships, check out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), The College Board's Scholarship Search, Fastweb and Scholarships.com. There may be additional opportunities within your local community.
However, be careful with your social media use. “We also tell our students how important it is to be intentional about what they consume on social media,” says Howe of LogicPrep. “There's a tremendous amount of misinformation and sensationalized content online about college admissions. Doom scrolling advice or even just acceptance videos can distort perspective and increase anxiety. Students should curate their feeds carefully or take breaks altogether."
The excerpts above are from an inkl.com article authored by Lena Muhtadi Borrelli. Read the full piece, originally published on February 17, 2026, here.