The article reflects on the pressure and emotional turmoil experienced by a student facing college rejections and deferrals. Despite attempts to detach self-worth from outcomes, the fear of judgment and societal expectations looms large. The student acknowledges the damaging effects of prioritizing acceptance from prestigious institutions over mental well-being and personal growth. They challenge the commonly held narrative that equates attending a 'top' university with success, emphasizing that true achievement is defined by personal goals and aspirations, rather than mere institutional prestige.
The constant obsession with where I end up can overshadow the more important question: Who do I want to become? What do I want to achieve?
The narrative that success equals attending a 'top' university often pushes my close friends and me to sacrifice our well-being for a résumé boost.
The sting of each rejection made it harder to believe that my worth was not tied to these decisions.
It doesn't matter that some of the most successful people didn't follow a traditional path.
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