How can you help your students manage college and career stress?

For many high school students, the pressure to plan for the future can feel overwhelming. Between career decisions, college applications, financial concerns, and the ever-present question of “What are you doing after graduation?”—it’s no surprise that stress and anxiety levels can be high.

The expectation to have everything figured out by age 18 can be unrealistic, yet societal, family, and personal pressures make many students feel like they’re already falling behind. While some stress can be motivating, too much can negatively impact mental health, leading to anxiety and burnout.

If you’re working with students feeling this pressure, here are ways to help them navigate career and college planning while protecting their well-being.

1. Normalize uncertainty and teach practical financial and career planning skills

It’s okay not to have all the answers right now. Many adults don’t! According to a 2024 survey entitled “Adulthood Across Generations”, 27 is the age when life, money, and the future start to feel real. Reassure students that their first career choice or post-high school path doesn’t have to be permanent. Many people change careers multiple times, and the most important thing is to keep learning and adapting.

Encourage students to explore different options with an open mind rather than feeling like they must commit to one perfect plan. One of the biggest sources of stress for students is money—how to afford college, how much debt is too much, and how to make a career financially sustainable. Financial uncertainty can fuel anxiety, but giving students the tools to make informed decisions can ease some of that pressure.

💡 Resource: Money Path – a free nonprofit-backed tool for all Wisconsin high schools, helps students explore and compare different career paths and starting salaries, compare college costs, and create a personalized financial plan. Money Path also helps students estimate their financial aid eligibility based on family income before filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

2. Shift the focus from pressure to possibility

Instead of framing career planning as a high-stakes decision, help students see it as an opportunity to discover what excites them. Encourage curiosity rather than perfection—exploring different interests, talking to professionals in various fields, and trying internships or job shadowing can help students feel more in control.

💡 Resource: O*NET Interest Profiler – A free tool from the U.S. Department of Labor that helps students explore careers based on their interests.

💡 Resource: Department of Workforce Development – Information about youth apprenticeship programs in Wisconsin.

3. Encourage a balanced approach and foster a supportive environment

Students may feel pressure to take on everything—AP classes, extracurriculars, jobs, and volunteer work—to build the “perfect” college application. This can lead to burnout. Help students prioritize what truly matters rather than trying to do it all. Quality over quantity is key when it comes to extracurricular involvement.

A strong support system can make a huge difference. Encourage students to talk to mentors, counselors, teachers, and family members about their concerns. Sometimes, just verbalizing worries can make them feel more manageable. Remind students they are not alone—many of their peers feel the same pressure. Creating a culture where students support and uplift one another can ease some of the stress of career and college planning. Taking breaks, exercising, and engaging in hobbies can improve focus and mental health.

💡 Resource: CDC – Adolescent and School Health – This website provides several resources for how schools can support teen mental health.

💡 Resource: Seize the Awkward – A resource designed to help teens start conversations about mental health with their friends and peers.

4. Bring clarity and confidence to your students’ future planning

Planning for the future is important, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of a student’s well-being. By helping students approach career and college planning with confidence, curiosity, and the right tools, we can ease their stress and remind them that their future is full of possibilities.

If you’re looking for ways to help students plan their futures with less stress and more clarity, complete this short form to gain access to Money Path for your students or to request a live 15-minute demo.