For as much rhetoric exists about ‘teaching the whole child,’ the way we teach and measure learning isn’t aligned. After more than a decade working in education, I've realized that while traditional classrooms and even experiential environments offer invaluable learning, they often fall short where it matters most— teaching young adults how to navigate their most significant asset, which can also become their biggest stumbling block—their own minds and hearts.

The gap in self-knowledge and emotional intelligence is particularly concerning in light of the growing mental health crisis. The latest "Great Resignation" among working professionals is also a clear call for a shift in how we approach education.

As an educational advisor and admissions consultant, I aim to empower students to find the best-fit schools and colleges. Yet if they don’t enjoy the process and aren’t thriving afterward, have I done my job? Or do I need to shift and offer what might fill in this gap? And that is where mindfulness comes in.

For years I have kept my personal mindfulness practice separate from my professional educational advising life. Since becoming a certified mindfulness teacher, I realized this toolkit might actually be exactly what those heading into the highly stressful arena of college admissions need more than any college search tool. So here we are. I aim to provide tools, tips, and perspectives that promote gratitude, self-reflection, self-compassion, and acceptance along the journey into and through college.

While many schools and universities have begun to address mental health concerns and even introduced mindfulness, little has been done to address the stress of the college admissions process head-on. Wellness is ever-important, and I hope to offer guidance to help students and families navigate the process without losing their minds. Instead, we can learn to embrace life's joys and sorrows and become resilient, truly whole, connected individuals.