Mindful Mastery: Zen and the Art of College Applications

The Stress of College Applications

There are a number of reasons that mindfulness pairs so naturally with the college application and essay writing process. For starters, junior and senior years tend to be extraordinarily stressful and pressure-filled for students. The combination of academic pressure and the pressure to participate in numerous extracurricular activities is intense. This, paired with the (incorrect) feeling that the university you are accepted into defines who you are and your future is overwhelming for many students.

I’ve seen many students over the past decade find ways to dissociate from the stress through gaming and sometimes more harmful escapes. A more productive route is to learn healthy coping mechanisms, of which there are many (including exercise, socializing, making art, or finding fulfilling ways to contribute to your community). I have found regular practice of some very basic exercises from mindfulness-based stress reduction to be extremely effective in helping to relieve both acute and chronic stress. For juniors and seniors, a small commitment to doing a few minutes of breathwork a day and regularly journaling can make an immense difference in their stress levels and their ability to effectively navigate the college application process.

Mirrored Processes

A hidden benefit to incorporating mindfulness into your college search is that the process of completing mindfulness exercises is exactly what students should ideally be doing to figure out who they are in the world and what they want to do in the future. The college essay writing process hinges on a student’s ability to be reflective and identify their authentic and unique qualities. Both processes involve remaining grounded in the present, being self-reflective, exploring personal experiences, and gaining clarity about one's values and goals."

The “I Remember” Activity

 One of my very favorite brainstorming exercises (The “I Remember” Activity) is really a mindfulness exercise. The “I Remember” activity simply involves journaling for a set amount of time (either on a specific topic or not) and starting every sentence with the words “I remember.” When you perform this exercise with a pen and paper, you will be surprised the way one memory gently flows into the next, and after 10 minutes you will find yourself in a meditative state having generated specific, unique -and often unexpected- memories to consider as potential topics or details to use in an essay.

Mindfulness and the Writing Process

Mindfulness invites students to let go of distractions and immerse themselves in introspection when generating ideas. This presence allows thoughts to flow freely without judgment, embracing each idea as a potential gem. Such a mindful approach helps tap into core values and authentic experiences, laying a strong foundation for a compelling essay.

As students move to organizing and planning their thoughts, mindfulness plays a critical role in maintaining clarity and focus. By staying present, they can sift through their ideas with ease, identifying the most compelling narratives and structuring them coherently. This phase becomes a meditation on one's past, present, and future, offering a holistic view of their journey.

When it comes to drafting and revising, mindfulness is the key to patience and resilience. It helps students navigate through multiple revisions without frustration, allowing for genuine self-expression. Being present in the moment ensures that the essay remains true to the student's voice, leading to a piece that is both polished and authentic.

Embracing mindfulness throughout the writing process not only enhances the quality of the content but also significantly reduces stress and existential angst. It transforms what could be an overwhelming task into a manageable and even enjoyable journey. By being present, students find clarity and purpose, ultimately producing essays that resonate with authenticity and depth.

In the end, mindfulness guides students to create personal statements that are not just a reflection of their academic and extracurricular achievements, but a heartfelt narrative of who they truly are. By practicing mindfulness, students unlock their best and most authentic selves, making their college essays stand out in the most meaningful way.

Conclusion

Incorporating mindfulness can be a healthy practice that reduces acute and chronic stress for students as they navigate their junior and senior years of high school. In addition, many of the practices of mindfulness parallel those processes students must participate in to generate their college lists, write their essays, and ultimately choose the school that will be their home over the next four years. We encourage students to experiment with mindfulness techniques as they embark on their college application journey. Even small steps, like daily breathwork or journaling, can have an outsized impact on both stress levels and essay quality.