College: the best four years of your life, right? For some, I’m sure it’s true. For others, though, heading off to college can introduce newfound fears–creating stress for both students and their parents.
Your favorite college film flicks might focus on the late nights at the bar, but what about those 3 AM cram sessions for your exam? What about that pit in your stomach when your tuition bill is coming up quickly? College isn’t just fun and games.
Across the board, students’ biggest fear is the cost of their degree. I don’t know about you, but most 18-year-olds that I know don’t have thousands upon thousands of dollars chilling in their bank accounts, ready to be handed over to their schools. The reality is, the vast majority of students aren’t just going to walk across the graduation stage with a degree after their four years. Most of them are also going to be starting their journey into adulthood with a hefty mountain of debt. While some kids might be able to put the thought of the price tag aside in exchange for worry-free partying, others have to balance the stress of getting the grades with the weight of a voice in the back of their head, screaming “How am I going to pay for this?!”
Even those students who don’t have to see dollar signs when they close their eyes at night have reasons to stress. From navigating school during a pandemic to routine academic hardship to adjusting to life without mom and dad–it’s not a walk in the park.
So, when you see a group of early 20 somethings throwing back some cold ones on the weekend, cut them some slack. Because while it might be the best four years for some, I promise you there are others who are struggling.