Navigating the Teenage College Planning Emotional Landscape: The Key to Effective Communication 

Transitioning from high school to college is a monumental step in a young person’s life. This transition is marked by a whirlwind of emotions, including excitement, anticipation, and a healthy dose of stress and fear for many. In this blog, we’ll delve into the most common fears of 12^th graders when it comes to college life, supported by insights from our RNL research, and we will offer some best practices that can help your institution support your new students with open arms and solid resources.

During the 2022-2023 school year, RNL and ZeeMee surveyed a little over ten thousand students in 12th grade about their feelings and emotions as they went through college planning and when they thought about their first year in college. Our findings agree with everything we read and hear from multiple sources. We have a very stressed and worried generation of students in our hands. See the graphic below for their general statement of mind and feelings.

What activities or portions of their first-year college experience stress or worry them? This is key for us to understand and will determine your plan!

Having a roommate and living in a dorm

Prospective college students have concerns about having a roommate or living in a dorm due to various factors that can impact their living experience.What are some of the most common fears about having a roommate?

• Lack of privacy and personal space.
• The fear of not having a space to unwind, study, or have personal time
• The fear of not being compatible with a roommate’s habits, routines, and preferences can lead to apprehension.
• The possibility of conflicts and communication challenges.

Having a hard time making friends or not fitting in

While some students may eagerly look forward to forming friendships with their roommates, others might fear social awkwardness or feeling pressured to interact constantly.What are some of the most common fears about having a hard time making friends?

• The fear of not connecting with a roommate personally and struggling to establish a positive relationship can contribute to anxiety.
• The fear of not being able to establish connections may stem from the desire to be part of a social group.

Grades

The transition from high school to college represents a significant change in the academic environment, and these are some of the most common academic fears:

• College coursework is typically more challenging and demanding than high school; students worry about not “being academically ready” for college work.
• Students perceive their academic performance as determining future career opportunities and graduate school admissions.
• Students may fear failure and, as a result, lose an academic scholarship they may need to stay in college.
• Academic stress may also be related to their fear of disappointing their family, professors, coaches, and others.

Financing fears

Prospective college students worry about insufficient money due to various financial challenges associated with higher education. These concerns can significantly impact their overall college experience and well-being.

• Students worry that the need to work long hours to cover expenses might hinder their ability to focus on their studies, potentially leading to lower grades and compromised educational outcomes.
• Students worry they will not have enough money to pay for all the additional fees, textbooks, and other unexpected college expenses.
• Students worry that if they borrow money, they will not make enough money to graduate to pay their loans back.
• Students also worry about creating a financial burden for their parents
• Finally, the most pressing financial issue is that they will have to drop out of college because they can’t afford to pay for their tuition and living expenses.

Mental health and reaching out when they need help

Prospective students worry about their mental health due to various stressors and challenges unique to the college environment. Many specific areas are sources of stress and anxiety when it comes to their mental health, to name a few:

• They worry that the demands of coursework, exams, and assignments will lead to elevated stress.
• Transitioning from high school to college involves adapting to new environments, routines, and social dynamics.
• They set high expectations for themselves, both academically and socially. They wonder if they will be able to meet those expectations.
• They are worried about feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially for students away from home or struggling to form new social connections.
• Worries about finances, including tuition, living expenses, and student loans, can negatively impact students’ mental health.
• Some students lack awareness of available mental health resources or feel comfortable seeking help.

Safety

This is a significant issue and source of stress for prospective students with many layers that deserve attention on their own.What are the different factors prospective students worry about regarding their safety?

• For many students, college represents a new and unfamiliar environment, often far from the safety net of their homes. Transitioning to a new city or campus can lead to concerns about navigating unfamiliar areas and neighborhoods.
• College life often involves late-night activities and travel, such as returning to dorms after studying at the library or attending social events. This can expose students to potential risks.
• Alcohol and substance use in college environments can contribute to safety concerns.
• The fear of sexual assault and harassment is a significant concern for many college students.

Start with empathy

Empathy serves as the foundation for understanding teenagers’ emotional experiences. When we communicate and empathize with the emotional challenges teenagers face, it creates a bridge for successful communication. Rather than dismissing their feelings, fears, and doubts when it comes to college planning or brushing them aside, acknowledging and validating their emotions helps build trust.

Building trust through understanding

Understanding how someone feels is integral to building trust. That also extends to college planning communications and strategies. This trust is the cornerstone of effective communication, and creating communications and experiences in your recruitment plan where teenagers feel comfortable is key.

Understanding the emotional landscape of teenagers is fundamental to building strong and successful communications. By embracing empathy, validating their experiences, and employing clear communication strategies, we can foster an environment where they feel safe, informed, and encouraged to take the next steps in their journey.