Senior Nathan Bell is ready.

After graduation, he will attend college. He feels that he is ready to take on this task due to the constant urge his parents have given him.

“They’re always on my back about it. It seems as if they bring it up every day. It gets annoying at times, but I know that the reason that they do this is so that I’m focused on my future and that I’m prepared for it.”

As the case for many seniors, the concept of graduating and preparing for college may seem like a daunting task. According to  a multi-year College and Career Readiness survey of 165,000 high school students, these seniors may not be as prepared as they think. Only 45 percent of students in the study felt ready for college and starting a career, while 87 percent planned on attending college and starting a career.

Whether it be the fear and doubt that is in these students or an improper amount of help that their school has given them to prepare for life after high school, this distinction in percent is something that needs attention brought to it.

As far as the SATs go, many students are anxious and nervous about taking  a test that has such a high influence on their future.

“The SATs are something that is definitely nerve wracking,” says senior Garrison Ein. “There’s a lot of pressure on students to study for them and do well on them.”

Students departing from high school have a lot on their plate when it comes to moving on to college. The applications, essays, and SATs are all obstacles that may keep students from enjoying their final moments in high school as they plan for the future.