Too young to be deciding and learning about sororities?

[CeCe Newbie]

Originally Posted by hae413

I know it's silly for me to think about these things so young. I'm not kidding you, I've been thinking/talking to my parents about college and how I'll do on the ACT/SAT since I was twelve.

I feel ya!

[33girl]

Too young to be learning? No.

Too young to be deciding? Yes, yes, a million times yes.

As others have said, the things you do to prepare yourself for rush are things you should be doing to prepare yourself for college and young adulthood in general. It's not like you're going to take a semester off school to go to a sorority camp that will be pointless if you end up not joining one in college.

[hae413]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Too young to be learning? No.

Too young to be deciding? Yes, yes, a million times yes.

As others have said, the things you do to prepare yourself for rush are things you should be doing to prepare yourself for college and young adulthood in general. It's not like you're going to take a semester off school to go to a sorority camp that will be pointless if you end up not joining one in college.

I realized deciding wasn't the best word to use. I'm sorry! What I meant by deciding is whether or not I plan on rushing so I could start figuring out who my parents knew in what sororities and learning more about recruitment/the foundation of sororities in general. Again, I apologize. I know that wasn't very clear. Don't worry, I don't know a thing about the sororities other than what they are.

I'm definitely going to continue being involved, get involved in more activities and become more well-rounded so I actually will get into a college. I know if I become the absolute best student I can be, and get into a college, I can then worry about recruitment. It's really reassuring to know just staying involved, keeping my grades where they should be and improving conversational skills is the best way for me to prepare at my age.

[DubaiSis]

You need to find a way to dial back the worry. Getting into college is not going to be a problem for you, unless you have your heart set on one of the really competitive schools. So that you don't make yourself crazy, you might think of college like joining a sorority. You need to keep an open mind and look at all of your alternatives. There is nothing wrong with attending a state school (I'm doing just fine, thank you), or the many many schools out there that would love to have you for those 4 years that are not Stanford or Yale. If you're freaking yourself out about this already, you might start looking at "normal" schools where you have a reasonable likelihood of getting in. And going to a college just because it's the toughest to get in (much like sororities) is a recipe for disaster and disappointment. Remember, a lot of really amazing and successful people went to college where "anyone" could get in. So quit freaking out about it.

[hae413]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

You need to find a way to dial back the worry. Getting into college is not going to be a problem for you, unless you have your heart set on one of the really competitive schools. So that you don't make yourself crazy, you might think of college like joining a sorority. You need to keep an open mind and look at all of your alternatives. There is nothing wrong with attending a state school (I'm doing just fine, thank you), or the many many schools out there that would love to have you for those 4 years that are not Stanford or Yale. If you're freaking yourself out about this already, you might start looking at "normal" schools where you have a reasonable likelihood of getting in. And going to a college just because it's the toughest to get in (much like sororities) is a recipe for disaster and disappointment. Remember, a lot of really amazing and successful people went to college where "anyone" could get in. So quit freaking out about it.

I'm worried about getting into a state school, even though so far I'm on track to get into one! I don't have an interest in an Ivy or private school, I realized very early that they aren't for me. Like I said earlier, I just have an irrational fear about it. My teachers and parents keep telling me I have no reason to worry, and now you are as well, but I honestly just can't help it. Silly? Yes. Completely unnecessary? Absolutely. Does the fact that I know I'll get into and be happy at a state school make me stop? Nope. I know I'm going to do just fine, but because I worry, I do better. My thinking is, if I am the absolute best I can be at everything I do, I will end up happy somewhere and have the credentials to get to that somewhere. I don't worry about college unless my high school is getting a speech about requirements to get into a college or right around practice tests for the ACT/SAT and also finals/exams. My school kind of puts an elephant on our backs about all of those things. It's supposed to make us more conscious of getting a grade we will be happy with, not one that will let us get by. I really hope that made just a little bit of sense..

[amIblue?]

From what you've written here, I'm sure you'll be fine as far as getting into college. Part of growing up and maturing is realizing when you need to sweat stuff and when you don't.

Practicing for the ACT/SAT is never a bad idea. If it's possible, you might want to ask your parents to enroll you in a prep class this summer. Not only will it offer you the opportunity to improve your test score, but you will also gain general testing skills that will come in handy.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by hae413

I'm worried about getting into a state school, even though so far I'm on track to get into one! I don't have an interest in an Ivy or private school, I realized very early that they aren't for me. Like I said earlier, I just have an irrational fear about it. My teachers and parents keep telling me I have no reason to worry, and now you are as well, but I honestly just can't help it. Silly? Yes. Completely unnecessary? Absolutely. Does the fact that I know I'll get into and be happy at a state school make me stop? Nope. I know I'm going to do just fine, but because I worry, I do better. My thinking is, if I am the absolute best I can be at everything I do, I will end up happy somewhere and have the credentials to get to that somewhere. I don't worry about college unless my high school is getting a speech about requirements to get into a college or right around practice tests for the ACT/SAT and also finals/exams. My school kind of puts an elephant on our backs about all of those things. It's supposed to make us more conscious of getting a grade we will be happy with, not one that will let us get by. I really hope that made just a little bit of sense..

Have you considered talking to a mental health professional? If you have this much anxiety over getting into college (and obviously it's hard to tell simply from GC posts), you may want to consider something like short-term therapy.

[33girl]

I think maybe venting it all out on GC IS the therapy. Sometimes it just feels better to take a word dump and get it all out onto the paper/screen.

[IndianaSigKap]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think maybe venting it all out on GC IS the therapy. Sometimes it just feels better to take a word dump and get it all out onto the paper/screen.

Exactly!

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think maybe venting it all out on GC IS the therapy. Sometimes it just feels better to take a word dump and get it all out onto the paper/screen.

cosign.

I don't get a crazy vibe from the OP, just a really young and inexperienced one.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

cosign.

I don't get a crazy vibe from the OP, just a really young and inexperienced one.

You don't have to be crazy to talk to a professional. As I said, I can't tell from GC if this is just venting, or if she is dealing with the type of anxiety that keeps her up at night.

[Coug2012]

Does your school have counselors specifically for the college application process? Because I know there were certain times for me that I started worrying about everything more than I needed to and I would go talk to my counselor and things would be cleared up and I would feel more confident. For example with the school that I decided on for a month after submitting all of my information the website kept saying that they were missing my transcript even though my school sent it in even before I applied. I went and talked to my counselor who said this was normal because they have to process all of the paperwork and update their own system first before they would get around to updating it where I could see for myself that they had recieved everything. Once I knew this I could stop worrying so much, and after a while it finally said that I was accepted. I know this isn't your situation but maybe (if your school has this type of counselor) you could check with someone to see what types of students from your school usually are accepted into the schools that you are interested in which might help you stop worrying so much.

[melindawarren]

I just typed a whole long response and lost the whole thing.

I feel you, OP. I was the same way as a sophomore. Don't be so scared, ok? Seriously, if there's one piece of advice I wish I'd given to myself as a sophomore, it's that high school should be taken seriously AND enjoyed at the same time. I didn't have fun when I spent all my time studying and working towards college (my ECs were a ton of fun, for the most part), and I wish I'd spent more of my time doing enjoyable things). Also, anyone who makes you doubt your chances at a school where your stats/ECs/finances match up (that isn't a top 10 or anything, that is) is probably trying to use motivational fear. I don't like that, but whatever.

Also, please try to make sorority "research" fun. Get sucked into recruitment stories and read the hilarious threads about weird rush stories. Make this enjoyable until you've at least sent in your college apps (then you can start to think about Greek life more seriously).

Also, don't base your college application choices off one specific GLO. I know some seem more interesting than others, but it's not the National that matters-it's the chapter and the individual girls.

Good luck!

[hae413]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

You don't have to be crazy to talk to a professional. As I said, I can't tell from GC if this is just venting, or if she is dealing with the type of anxiety that keeps her up at night.

Don't worry, it isn't keeping me up at night! I honestly think that wouldn't be a bad idea! A guidance counselor or teacher even would help.

My school does have a counselor for these sort of things. We haven't gone back to school yet, but when we do I'll see if I can talk to her.

amIblue- My school offers an ACT prep class but it is possible they are cutting it next year or making it an elective. If it's still an option I will do it!

Melinda- I honestly only know one other sophomore even thinking about college. I feel like it's weird my peers are looking at prep tests like they don't matter.. I do love my extra curricular's and I do enjoy high school. It's nice to know someone has been in my situation before. I have read some really awesome stories, my favorite being the Bellatrix Lestrange one! They are quite entertaining.

Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate every bit of advice.

[melindawarren]

Originally Posted by hae413

Melinda- I honestly only know one other sophomore even thinking about college. I feel like it's weird my peers are looking at prep tests like they don't matter.. I do love my extra curricular's and I do enjoy high school. It's nice to know someone has been in my situation before. I have read some really awesome stories, my favorite being the Bellatrix Lestrange one! They are quite entertaining.

I went to a very pressure-cooker kind of HS, so I definitely heard about college before I even set foot on campus for the first time. But I think researching college before your junior year puts you at a distinct advantage, because it's a time-consuming process, and you'll never wish you had less time to research/take tests/work on your apps.

And I'm glad you find my story entertaining!