For those of you nearing the end of your high school years, getting ready for college to continue your education can be stressful. From deciding on a major to sending out applications to preparing to move, these tasks can often feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are some keyways that you can simplify the process and make it less taxing on yourself. By taking advantage of these suggestions, you can navigate through college preparation efforts like a pro and increase your sense of well-being.
Here are some tips for managing high school and college preparation efforts.
Treat College Prep Like a Class
When you go to do homework, you probably have time put aside for each subject. That means your post-school day schedule includes allotted time to get this work done. Sadly, many high school students don’t typically allot enough time for college prep.
To make sure that you’re not caught in this trap, it can help to treat college prep like a class of its own. This means scheduling time every day to focus solely on college prep rather than merely trying to fit it into your schedule.
After a few weeks of this, you’ll find that managing both high school responsibilities and college prep doesn’t have to be as hard as it might seem. So, whether you intend to pursue a nursing career or a job in business, this is a powerful tactic that you should utilize to make the process smoother for yourself.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
At times, you’re going to feel overwhelmed with the process of going to high school while simultaneously engaging in college preparation efforts. It’s important to remember that this is completely natural and not something you should be ashamed of.
However, it’s also important to remember that you don’t have to keep these experiences to yourself. In fact, it’s incredibly beneficial to reach out to others for help in these types of situations.
This can include reaching out to people such as family, friends, teachers, counselors, and other people who can offer support. In particular, it can be helpful to ask people who have experience with or knowledge about the college preparation process.
Ultimately, gaining help from others will make it easier for you to strike a good balance in your efforts that leaves you both productive and feeling good. This being the case, you should make it a point to reach out to others for help when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process of juggling both high school and college prep.
Break Big Tasks Down Into Smaller Ones
When faced with a large or complicated task, it can be difficult for people to feel motivated and capable. For most students like yourself, managing both high school responsibilities and college preparation efforts can seem like a gargantuan task.
Thankfully, the simple process of breaking big tasks into smaller ones can make them far more manageable. This means that getting high school responsibilities out of the way while preparing for a college career will feel less taxing for students like yourself.
For example, if you need to decide what to major in and start applying to schools, you can do this in several steps. This can include small tasks such as listing your favorite subjects, listing your favorite locations, and seeing where subjects you’re interested in can be found in the programs of schools in places you like.
By consistently breaking down tasks in this manner, you’ll feel more capable of juggling the many different responsibilities you have. Consequently, this is a great practice for managing high school and college preparation efforts.
Find Space for Respite
With any big undertaking, it’s key to find space to relax and decompress from the stress of trying to accomplish your goal. As a highschooler gearing up to head out to college, the case is no different and you should be mindful of making space for relaxation.
When you take time to decompress and give your mind a break, you’ll be more confident, motivated, and productive when you get back to work. This means that refraining from allowing yourself to have moments of respite is actually making you less capable of reaching your goals.
For each person, finding respite will look different. For some it could be meditating on the couch, for others, perhaps spending time in nature. Regardless of your unique relaxation style, seeking out time for respite will help you juggle the many demands of being in high school while also preparing for a college career.
You’re Capable of Managing a High School Career While Preparing for College
Though the process can feel overwhelming and tiresome at times, getting through high school while engaging in college preparation efforts can be done. From treating college prep like a class to finding space for respite, there are many ways to make the task more doable. So, if you’re feeling swamped as a high schooler getting ready for college, try some of these suggestions and watch as the process becomes far more manageable.
