When College Feels Like a Curse Word

Sundays are for families. I try my best to create a special day for my husband and children to spend together. We usually start with an early church service, followed by brunch, and then something fun outside—pickleball, golf, or anything that lets us put our phones down and really connect.

Yesterday, as we sat at brunch, I couldn’t help but overhear the family next to us. The daughter said, “Please. College is a curse word, and I don’t want to discuss it today!”

Knowing what I know, I gave a light giggle and said, “I get it.” College can feel overwhelming, especially when it becomes the soundtrack of your life. Families talk about application deadlines. Counselors talk about essays. Friends ask, “Where are you applying? Did you submit yet? What did you get on the ACT?” Grandparents chime in with, “Back in my day…” And everywhere you turn—whether on TikTok, in the classroom, or even at the brunch table—you hear the same questions on repeat.

Now, in all honesty, I wasn’t sure if this student was in high school or already in college (who can tell anymore!). But either way, the word college clearly stirred up angst. It turned out she was in high school, and her mother leaned over and asked me quietly, “Do you do college admissions?”

I smiled and said yes. This October, Williams Educational Consultants is celebrating 20 years of serving students across the country—helping families navigate admissions, K–12 and college, and even a few graduate programs. That’s where our conversation ended, though in my mind I wanted to share more.

I wanted to tell her that college can feel like a curse word because it holds so much weight: dreams, expectations, deadlines, and change all bundled together. But here’s what I’ve learned over two decades: college is not about pressure—it’s about possibility.

With October 15 looming, it’s easy to let that one date feel like the end-all, be-all. For many students, it’s the first major deadline—an Early Action milestone circled on calendars, scrawled on sticky notes, and whispered in hallways. But here’s the truth: October 15 is not the finish line. It’s simply one of many doors that will open in this journey.

To the students: I know you’re tired of talking about it. I know your essays feel like they’re under a microscope, and the constant question of “Where are you applying?” makes you want to run. But this season does not define you. The resilience you’re showing, the growth you’re experiencing, and the courage it takes to dream big—that’s what matters most.

To the parents: I see you, too. The balancing act of supporting without smothering is not easy. You want your child to soar, but you also want to shield them from disappointment. Remember, your presence and encouragement matter more than perfect applications.

And to the educators, counselors, and mentors: thank you. You are the steady voices guiding students through the noise. You remind them that college is not a curse—it’s a chapter, one of many, in a bigger life story.

So as October 15 approaches, take a breath. Whether your application is polished and submitted, still in progress, or not due until later in the fall, know this: college is not a curse word. It’s a conversation about growth, opportunity, and the future. Every student’s journey unfolds in its own time.

Celebrate your desire to be hopeful, even in the midst of stress. Lean into trusting the process. Hope is what carries you through—the hope for students hitting submit, for those still searching for the right fit, and for families learning to walk this road together. Because in the end, this is not just about getting into college—it’s about becoming who you’re meant to be.

As the family finished their meal and stood to leave, the mother paused to share the two schools her daughter was hoping for. I smiled and said, “Congratulations—it sounds like she’s hoping for a wonderful future.”