The obsession with college admissions

Is school life nothing but a precedent for the perfect student to get into a renowned college?

Ever since a student is promoted to the ninth grade, college becomes the main conversation topic. At the minimum level, four years of brainwashing is done to cover a child's thought processes with college admissions, leading them to believe that college is the necessary step right after school, and that there is no other way. While a good college is essential in sharpening one's skillset, I wonder how much of it is worth obsessing over when children forget to live their normal lives.

When a student reaches twelfth grade, the tension for admissions along with the board exams intensifies. Entering the school each day could easily be compared to walking into a pressure cooker, leaving when the whistle blows and then starting all over again. In addition to academic excellence, during admissions most prestigious universities look for extracurricular activities, which acts as a stressor for students who work hard to give their best shot. A massive checklist for admissions might negatively impact the mental health of students, who sometimes start doubting themselves and their capabilities.

Is all of this really required? Is not getting accepted the end of the world? The answer is, without hesitation, no. There are innumerable success stories of college/high-school dropouts who went on to become successful entrepreneurs. Most people decide on one goal in their school years and end up in a field they would’ve never imagined, successful and happy. Some choose to overlook what they truly would succeed at and make their decision based on just the name of the college. None of these is wrong, you can change your mind, and you can excel in anything you set your mind to, however, the college you attend should be based on the course of your interest and skill set. Not getting your first choice should not be a dead end, but rather a realization that what is required of you is to simply look in another direction, which with hard work will also ultimately lead to a positive outcome or put you on the road towards better things.