<p>I just read this article: Gifted</a> At-Risk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
and was taken aback by how accurately it describes me. I mean, I know I'm smart. I don't want to brag, but I've got a 2320 on the SAT and two 800s on SAT IIs but after seeing my high school GPA (3.5), I've felt depressed and ANXIOUS ALL THE TIME. Seriously its freaking killing me. My heart is pounding all the time and I've only just finished my main college essay and don't even know where I'm applying. I'm anxious, I'm worried, and I can't seem to enjoy anything!(in fact, I'm going to a Ne-Yo concert tomorrow and I can't stop my heart wrenching, stomach turning feelings AT ALL; I'm thinking about getting into college all the time)
There are some times when I honestly think that I'd be better off poor in some sort of isolated country without knowledge of higher level education. I've had suicidal thoughts throughout my time sutdying in Asia and America (I was born in America, but studied my first two years of high school in India and my last two years in America.) I dont know if I'm being trite enough but I am constantly irritated with everything, and I know it! I just seem to think that I have reason to be frustrated...
ANYWAY does anyone else feel like this or am I the only one?</p>
<p>I completely understand, and no matter where I am I feel like college keeps coming up. I have no idea what I’m going to do about my essay and I can’t stop thinking about it. Every thing I do or hear makes me think of it. I’m constantly stressed out . I went to a remote village in Peru last summer and they were so happy with their lives: family, work, community and the little stuff. That’s where I want to be.</p>
<p>Lol, that’s me from grades 9-11. So glad I am out of that phase!!!</p>
<p>My advice: Don’t live life in a perpetual fear of failure. One always gets a second chance to make it all well. Just chase true happiness and success will follow. :)</p>
<p>Btw, I have the same SAT score lol.</p>
<p>ya i know this whole college thing is crazy but it seems like kids like us wont back down until the end…just turn it into a kinda game, that’s what I do, because its impossible to forget about it !</p>
<p>Definitely try to make it a game. Apply to some colleges that have great merit scholarships and try to get the highest one. You have fantastic numbers! You will certainly get accepted to some great schools and you will have the experience of being courted. When you buy into the “my life isn’t worth living unless I get accepted to HYPSM” mentality, you are asking for anxiety and heartbreak.</p>
<p>To the OP: it’s most important that you keep this year and the whole college process in perspective. You’ll be fine, no matter where you end up next year. Just stay focused, take it one step at a time, to get everything done. Don’t have overly high expectations and have many choices. (You may even seriously consider some smaller schools or “lesser” LACs because you may feel more comfortable in a less stressful environment. There are some really terrific schools out there.)</p>
<p>If your worries feel like they’re taking over, I suggest you talk with someone to help, like your GC or someone in your HS’s health services.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/992643-great-sats-horrible-grades-what-can-we-expect.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/992643-great-sats-horrible-grades-what-can-we-expect.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/988009-underachievers-3-3-gpa-less-2000-sats.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/988009-underachievers-3-3-gpa-less-2000-sats.html</a></p>
<p>I’m going to be blunt here, but I think if you relate to that wikipedia page just because you’re always anxious about college admissions, then you’re really not exhibiting symptoms of “Gifted At-Risk”.
It’s normal to be worried about college, especially because our society today places so much emphasis on college after high school. You might be more agitated than others, but it doesn’t qualify you as gifted at-risk.
Your idea about a land without knowledge of higher education proves my point; your problem is with college, not life. The suicidal thoughts, however, do demonstrate a significant internal conflict, but the base of the these terrible ponderings remain with college. It appears that your anxiety will end after the college application process is over; you will be fine by the end of this year.
A real gifted at-risk student is at conflict with himself, something that cannot be resolved because the problem is inherent in his character. He struggles with his exceptionalness and develops behaviors, usually detrimental, to cope with his unease. The remedy for this situation is not acceptance into college. The situation is ongoing, and the student would need to see a psychiatrist or some other professional to help combat the issues.</p>
<p>Me. My IQ is in the 140s and from 5th grade up until 8th I did only above average in school, had horrible study habits, and was pretty depressed.</p>
<p>No, that doesn’t describe you. It describes gifted people who end up flunking out of high school and in prison.</p>
<p>You’re experiencing the common anxiety that people have when doing their college apps.</p>