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I read the Gulf Weekly article on admission anxiety. As the parent of a teenager currently navigating university applications, I found the article both timely and deeply relatable. Over the past year I’ve watched my son and many of his friends face immense pressure. What should be an exciting time of exploring opportunities has instead become one marked by stress, self-doubt, and constant worry.
Today’s students face intense competition for places at prestigious universities. They’re expected to maintain high grades, take part in extracurricular activities, build portfolios, and prepare for standardised tests, all while trying to keep up with family life and looking after their mental health. The prospect of rejection often overshadows their achievements, and too many young people feel that a single admission decision will determine the course of their entire future.
Among my son’s peers, conversations increasingly revolve around deadlines, acceptance rates, and comparisons with others. Social media makes this worse by constantly showing success stories and admission announcements that can leave other students feeling inadequate or left behind. Even capable, hardworking students can start to doubt their worth when faced with uncertainty.
Parents, too, unintentionally contribute to this anxiety. While our intentions are usually rooted in concern and a desire for our children to succeed, excessive expectations can place an additional burden on young minds.
It’s important to remember that success is not defined by admission to one particular university. True success comes from finding a path that suits a student’s talents, interests, and long-term goals. A supportive family environment that values effort, resilience, and personal growth will make a bigger difference than placing all emphasis on outcomes.
Schools should expand counselling services so they address both application logistics and emotional well-being. Practical workshops on time management, stress reduction, resilience, and realistic goal setting would equip students with coping skills they need now and in the future. Schools can also invite university representatives and professionals from varied careers to share diverse stories of success, demonstrating that there are many routes to a fulfilling life.
Universities can help by making admission criteria and timelines clearer and by adopting more holistic evaluation methods that recognise potential beyond test scores and grades. Greater transparency would reduce speculation and allow students to make more informed choices.
Admission anxiety is a real and growing concern that deserves sustained attention. By working together – parents, educators, and institutions – we can help our young people approach this important stage with greater confidence, balance, and hope rather than fear.
Tamanna
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