Anna’s Weekly Tea

Hey guys. This week, I got to thinking about college.

I mean, it’s not like I didn’t think about college before this week. At Overlake, it’s kind of impossible not to think about college. I’ve kind of been thinking about college since freshmen year.

But, I got to thinking about college, as in really thinking about college. I went through every step of the application process in my head — the repetitive and uninteresting college essays, recommendations letters, college visits, SAT scores, summer programs, resumes, and then the inevitable plethora of rejection letters.

And then I got stressed.

I realized that I am so unprepared for the storm that’s about to hit. I have so much to do in such little time. I have to boost my SAT score, I have to figure out some interesting hobby that sets me apart from all of the other applicants, and I have to get teachers to like me! (Oh dear.)

So like any other person, I’m drowning myself in work. Smart, right?

I’m waking up at 5 every day to study for the SATs, I’m boosting my service hours through a summer internship, and I’m taking on tutors to improve my grades. And that’s nothing compared to all the work our seniors are going through.

But this all begs the question — is it really worth it?

Say I get into my dream school. Say Georgetown accepts me. What then?

I’ll tell you what then. The Class of 2020 bullies me.

I can so easily see my grade becoming a toxic environment once college acceptance letters start rolling in. I can also easily see how the Class of 2019 will face a similar problem.

At Overlake, the College Counseling department says that most times, whatever college you get into, you’ll be happy there. But there’s also this weird external pressure from parents and peers to get into the best college possible. But then finally, once you get into your dream college, once you’ve finally achieved that one thing that you’ve worked for, you feel disappointed. Or at least I would.

There have been so many cases at Overlake where someone finally crosses the finish line, only for someone to criticize that accomplishment because of jealousy or otherwise.

So in conclusion. I’m so sorry seniors. Please don’t die.