Many of you may know that I am a trained mindfulness meditation teacher as well as an independent educational consultant. Meditation has brought much clarity and wisdom to my life as well as the ability to be present for whatever shows up. These qualities were tested greatly this past year when my husband of 41 years passed away after a long illness.
As I’ve navigated my way through my grief, my heart and mind really wanted to forget about the holidays of 2024. Too many memories. Lots of sadness. I realized though that my gratitude and mediation practices have helped me greatly to deal with the stress and changes that have become a part of my life.
I hope that by reading this article these strategies will support you and your child as you navigate through the stressful college process and the changes to come for you.
The impact of gratitude on our physical and mental well-being has been greatly researched. According to Dani Moye, Ph.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist in East Windsor, Connecticut, “Gratitude can be described as an emotion of thankfulness and recognition.”
Following A Daily Gratitude Practice Helps
Reduce Stress
Practicing gratitude can lower stress levels by shifting focus away from negative thoughts and fostering a sense of peace and contentment.
Increase One’s Immune System
Research suggests that gratitude can boost the immune system, helping individuals maintain overall health and well-being.
Improve Sleep
Cultivating gratitude has been linked to better sleep quality, as it encourages relaxation and reduces anxiety.
Lower Blood Pressure
A daily gratitude practice can help regulate blood pressure, promoting heart health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular issues.
Support in Identifying and Regulating Emotions
Regularly practicing gratitude can aid in emotional awareness and management, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence.
Help to Connect to Others
Gratitude can strengthen relationships and foster empathy, leading to greater social support and a sense of belonging.
Encourage Self-Care and Care for Others
Focusing on gratitude can motivate individuals to take better care of themselves and inspire kindness towards others, creating a positive feedback loop of well-being.
College Admissions Does Not Typically Promote Gratitude
The college admissions process is a whirlwind of emotions for both students and parents alike. As they navigate the complex world of applications, financial aid, and academic requirements, it’s easy for stress to overshadow gratitude.
Students face many pressing questions during this time:
What do I want to study?
Choosing a major can be daunting, as it sets the stage for their future career path. This decision can cause significant stress as students weigh their options.
Where do I want to go?
Selecting a college that meets both academic and personal needs is a challenging task. Students must evaluate factors like location, campus life, and program offerings, leading to potential overwhelm.
What am I looking for in a college?
Deciding on college characteristics that matter most to them—such as class size, extracurricular opportunities, and financial aid—can be a source of stress for students.
Will these grades, test scores, and extracurriculars get me in?
Students often feel pressure to excel academically and participate in a variety of activities to impress admissions officers. This can lead to anxiety about whether their efforts are enough.
Parents, too, have their own concerns:
How difficult is it for my child to get into this college?
Parents want their children to have the best opportunities, and gaining acceptance into their preferred colleges can feel like a high-stakes endeavor.
How much is it going to cost?
With rising tuition rates and the prospect of student loans, parents worry about the financial implications of their child’s education.
How much aid can I expect?
Navigating financial aid and scholarships can be overwhelming, leaving parents unsure if they can make college affordable.
Is this a safe school?
Parents naturally want to know their children are secure, both on campus and in the surrounding community.
The college admissions process can make it challenging for both students and parents to maintain perspective and practice gratitude amid the stress. It’s essential to find ways to manage this stress and focus on the positive aspects of the journey—such as personal growth, the excitement of new opportunities, and the chance to explore new horizons.
How A College Advisor Can Help Reduce Stress
Sometimes I can help to minimize that stress because of the knowledge and experience I have with helping students and families through this process. Unfortunately, sometimes I can’t help minimizing stress because the college admissions and financial aid process isn’t always transparent. This is where developing a daily gratitude practice can really support you.
A Gratitude Practice can be as Simple as:
- Thanking God, or your higher power, every morning when you wake up and thinking of one thing that you are grateful for at the end of your day.
- Keeping a gratitude journal near your bed and writing what you’re grateful for before you lay down at night.
- Honoring the present moment by taking a deep breath several times a day.
- Volunteering and helping others benefits both your well-being and college applications, as it fosters gratitude and showcases kindness—qualities valued by many colleges.
Our mind is conditioned to do exactly what the mind does. Think! How many of you have gotten into your car to go somewhere and not remembering the drive minutes or even hours later?
Our mind is terrific at finding anything to think about, with much of it causing one to feel stressed, anxious or fearful. By taking a deep breath several times during your drive you are breaking that pattern and opening up to the present moment.
Gratitude Is A Moment By Moment Experience
One thing I do regularly is to not only thank God for the beautiful day when I get into my car; but to also acknowledge the beauty around me—the sky, the flowers peaking out of the ground, a tree in bloom, leaves changing colors.
I guarantee if you look for things to be grateful for, you will find many. At night, I enter these reflections in my gratitude journal.
I also take deep, cleansing breaths when I’m in line at the store or the drive thru. No one will know you are taking steps to reduce your stress and increase your self-care. You’ll also be better off for doing so.
Volunteering reminds me that I have much to be grateful for. Performing acts of kindness and giving to those less fortunate not only helps me find appreciation for what I do have, it also gives me an opportunity to graciously help my fellow human beings.
I encourage you and your students to begin a daily gratitude practice, to notice the beauty and grace that surrounds you, and to offer your time and heart to others in need. These practices will support you as you complete your essays, take your ACT or SAT and finish your applications. Colleges will make note of your generosity. And, as meditation teacher Jack Kornfield said, “As gratitude grows, it gives rise to joy.” May you experience much joy this application season.
If you are stressed about the college process and would like to experience more clarity and joy as you apply to college, I can help. Contact me at 240-285-1920 or dianne@launchingcollegesuccess.com
