#7 Peer Interview for the “Mental Health Mentoring Series”

Freshman at UC Berkeley majoring in Data Science, and graduate of Gunn High School in 2024

In high school, what was your overall stress or anxiety level from a scale of 1-3:  2 - Moderate

In college, what is your overall stress or anxiety level from 1-3: 2 - Moderate

What contributed to your stress or anxiety in high school?  A few factors such as school, social pressure, competition, and Covid certainly did not make things feel "normal."

What contributes to your stress or anxiety in college?  Expectation to do well. It can feel like the need to do well in college is vital to your future success.  

What were your favorite high school activity(ies)?  Hanging out with friends, sports, and enjoying free time. 

What are your favorite college activity(ies)?  Hanging out, enjoying downtime, and going on walks.

How have pressures you faced in high school differ from your experience in college? 

I wouldn't say they have differed much, but college often makes people feel as though it is more "official" or that the consequence for failure is much more severe than in high school.

How have your social relationships changed from high school to college or beyond? 

You have to put yourself out there to make new friends in college. It's definitely a different environment than being with all your hometown buddies, who you grew-up with for years. 

How have your studying habits or approaches changed from high school to college?  

I've tried to become a better student and truly learn for my own well-being and self-actualization. A lot of things are now resting solely on your own shoulders, and if you are not used to that, it can be difficult. Fortunately, I've always been quite independent.

When you are stressed or anxious, what techniques, rituals, or ways do you manage?  

If there's something seriously bothering me, then I take a break, work-out, listen to music, or anything to just chill, which is helpful. Overall, I try not to stress or worry about possible outcomes and just what is the best action I can take in the current moment.

What do you think high school students misunderstand or get wrong about college life? 

I think people can be intimidated or build-up college to be a very big, crazy life changing thing. In my experience, it’s probably a lot more similar to high school than you’d think. It really depends on you and what your goals are in college. For a lot of people, I think social relationships can stress them out, but with so many new people in college, you are bound to find some good people around, and there is no harm in asking and connecting. Put yourself out there to meet people.

Knowing what you know now, if you were back in high school, what might you do differently? 

Study more for myself and less to pass tests or turn in the homework just to get the A. Enjoy every moment as much as I can and say yes to more experiences. You realize that time flies by when you reach the end and are in college.

What would be your best overall advice to high school students? 

For all we know, you only have this one life, and you are in control of your own actions and decisions. Choose to be the best version of yourself that you would want to be and spread love. Don't waste time on regret, fear, or reflecting on poor past decisions, but instead on what is the best plan of action for you starting now to become the person you want to be. It's never too late.