<p>These days, I'm constantly thinking about college and how to get accepted into an Ivy League school. I'm going to be a Sophomore in a few days. I've heard that obsessing over college at this point is unhealthy and I think I agree. How can I get out of this state of mind and just start enjoying high school (but at the same time do beneficial activities, like research at a university, in a kind of subconscious way without thinking of it as "for college")?</p>
<p>One way is to fail miserably to the point where you lose all hope in yourself and become academically despondent. You can then proceed to smoke weed, drink, party, and get laid.</p>
<p>But that way sucks.</p>
<p>I think it’s normal for academic-minded people. People like you work hard and they want something out of it. The obsession goes away after a while. If you go to a tough school like mine, you eventually just get so tired that you don’t care anymore and you’ll go to Compton Community College if you have to. Just do the work they give you, study for tests, and pursue your interests. Eventually the craze will go away. And if you just do well in what you’re supposed to do and excel in your interests, you’ll go somewhere great</p>
<p>I don’t know if this will be the same for you, but I found safeties that I would be excited to go to. That’s when I really relaxed. I am applying some really selective schools, but because I have safeties I’m happy with I really don’t care if I don’t get in.</p>
<p>What are some fun things about your life or HS? What are your actual passions, not the ones that you do for the acceptance letter?
Focus on those. Heck, even start a school philosophy or juggling club if that’s what you like! If you want to live a meaningful life without obsessing over college, just do what feels worthwhile and interesting to you.</p>
<p>maybe get a hobby or something. enjoy what you’re doing, try new things that you want to do and you’ll probably get over this obsession. and by enjoying the your passions and ECs you’ll do well in them and that can help you with college haha.</p>
<p>I like to read and I like math and science, I guess. I don’t know if I have a passion. I’m part of the chess club and I’m joining the jazz band this year. I might start a robotics club. I dunno. I’ll see what interests me and I’ll try different things.</p>
<p>^ See my thread haha</p>
<p>^did you get my PM?</p>
<p>Another tip to stop obsessing, is to stop reading CC daily.</p>
<p>If you fail all your classes you dont need to worry anymore</p>
<p>^^Yes, refrain from going on here.</p>
<p>Block this site. That’s my suggestion.</p>
<p>Find a safety school you love. And think about how fun senior year will be.</p>
<p>worked for me</p>
<p>I have your exact same problem. As a sophomore, I am always thinking about getting into an Ivy League school. I think it is normal for intelligent and ambitious high school students to obsess over college. Anyways, you should try to hang out with some “normal” people for a while. Their relaxed way of life could possibly reduce your stress. Just slow down for a minute each day, take a deep breath, and soak in your surroundings. Observe the campus, the people talking and laughing, and the teachers who are perfectly content with their life even though they didn’t go to an Ivy League school. Then think of one funny thing that you see or happened to you, and laugh about it with your friends. Whenever I take the time to do this, it makes me feel better. I should take my own advice more often.</p>
<p>Realize that there’s more to life than trying to be able to say you went to an ivy league school. And make yourself believe that there’s more to yourself than feeling validated by going to such a school. And in the end, its your personality, work ethic, etc. that will help you get that job rather than the school you went to (for undergraduate degree!)</p>
<p>Is it bad if you start obsessing a few weeks before your junior year?</p>