This year for Black History Month we would like to pay homage to youth Entrepreneurs. 

We celebrate and encourage you to stay focus on your accomplishments in achieving and making your dreams come true. Never lose hope and always remember; “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it is the way you carry it.”

Here’s to you!

Last year, 19.9 million students entered American college and universities, and that number is expected to rise to just over 20 million in the fall of 2019, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. These students didn’t just stumble on to their respective campuses, it took a lot of hard work and planning to get there, and if you are one of the millions of people beginning your college journey this year, you know that better than anyone. If you’re nervous about the new social situation you’re about to face when you step on to campus this fall, you’re not alone. And if you are still unsure as to how you’re going to pay for the ever-increasing price of your high education, you’re DEFINITELY not alone.

With the help of The College Board, Seventeen surveyed over 110,000 students to find out more about what’s on the mind of graduating seniors as they head off to the next stage of education. The results provide a very telling look at what Gen Z is thinking about when it comes to majors, student debt, and their fears regarding the future. Read on to check out the results from our survey.

80% of graduating seniors say the biggest challenge they’re facing is the cost of college tuition and student loan debt.

It isn’t surprising that college tuition is stressing out the majority of incoming college students. According to The College Board, the price of in-state tuition and public four-year institutions have increased at an average rate of 3.1% every year since 2008. That doesn’t even include the cost of college materials, which 61% of survey respondents said paying for will be their biggest challenge.

Because of this, 40% of graduating seniors plan to take out loans to pay for college, while a third said they’re unsure if they will. Of course, with loans comes debt, and a whopping 90% of the respondents are “very or somewhat” concerned about going into debt after graduation.

Despite all of this, 1/3 of respondents didn’t apply for scholarships, citing lack of time and information as well as lack of need as the main reasons why they opted not to. In an attempt to make the scholarship application process easier—since 60% of students said that figuring our financial aid and scholarships is the hardest part of the college process—The College Board has created The College Board Opportunity Scholarships Program, which dedicates $25 million over five years to a new program that lays out six simple steps all students can take to get to college.

61% of students used free SAT prep services.

Consider students’ struggle with financial aid, it is unsurprising that this number is up from 54% in 2018. Students are also saving money by taking college courses, like advanced placement courses, while still in high school, with 72% of respondents saying the potential to save money was a strong to moderate reason why they decided to take these courses in early.

On average, students applied to six colleges or universities.

Students today are applying to more and more colleges that ever before. According to Money, the six schools that our respondents applied to is almost triple the amount of schools that students applied to just 15 years ago.

Of course, the more schools you apply to, the more you need to keep track of, something that some students are struggling to do. Forty-four percent of students admitted that keeping track of deadlines is the hardest part of the application process.

Over 50% are nervous about the social aspect of college.

But just getting into college is only half the battle, because once you’re there you need to survive and thrive, often times on your own, while living away from your family for the first time. Students are most commonly nervous about getting along with roommates, living in a tight space, and eating healthy, though the former takes the cake for the most responses by far.

The most popular majors are STEM focused.

STEM is having a moment, and that is made obvious by the fact that the most popular major choices included Biological Sciences, Businesses, or Health Professions, Engineering, or Psychology. On the other hand, Library science, Religious Vocations, and Military Technologies were among the least popular.

When it comes to picking their majors, 2/3 of the respondents revealed that their decision comes from a passion in the subject, with only 14% and 7% choosing based off job opportunities or earning potential.

Not Smooth Sailing

When you take responsibility for your life, serendipitous events unfold and lead you to awaken your inherent wisdom.

At this level you must be willing to step out of your comfort zone and meet life with passion and fervour. Here’s an all too common scenario that plays out in people’s lives, illustrating how settling sometimes can lead to apathy and comfort.

Life tosses you lemons — well at least that’s what you suspect from where you stand. You may be sick and tired of being in rut. Feeling uninspired — emotionally drained and lacking direction. Don’t despair since you may simply be experiencing an internal shift.

From time to time, you may suffer periods of uncertainty, which on the surface appears as though your world is sinking. You might feel helpless and unable to navigate your journey ahead.

Though you can’t quite put your finger on it, something isn’t quite right — you know that part at least. Life seems harder and requires more effort than usual. Everything is a chore. You feel emotional turbulence at the slightest episode when things don’t go according to plan.

Rest assured life isn’t always smooth sailing. Seeking refuge in that statement liberates us from having to push against the forces of life. Like any journey, the intention to reach one’s destination is typically heralded by a goal or a plan, though you may not anticipate the rough waters ahead. That is, you might have to sail your boat in uncharted waters to reach your final destination. Life’s journey is filled with countless lessons, which many fail to concede when embroiled in their drama.

Change Is Debilitating

I wish to remind you that contained within every effort, every step, and every so called failure draws you closer to your treasure – you pot of gold. Nothing is wasted. No effort has been in vain.

There is a rhythm and timing to the universe you must abide with if you wish to realise your potential. With that in mind stepping out of your comfort zone may be paralysing to some, since there is a level of anxiety associated with uncertainty.

You become accustomed to the familiar that to rock the boat, destabilises your equilibrium. Author Neale Donald Walsch of the acclaimed spiritual book series, Conversations With God reminds us: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

Dealing with uncertainty and change can be debilitating in terms of your imposed stress, yet seemingly to live a compelling future requires stepping out of the familiar to reach new horizons. The image below illustrates how your comfort level is associated with your desire for change. Typically the stronger the desire for change, the more discomfort you feel, as you move toward the unknown.

Similarly, depicted in the quote by Lao Tzu is a reminder to allow the process of life to unfold without adding your drama to it: “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them — that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”

Remember, it is your response to life which is paramount to the level of personal growth you undertake. Most people thrive in ideal situations, although this does not test one’s character. Your response to life’s uncertainties determines your level of inner growth, especially when the tides are against you.

For example, entrepreneurs require confidence to never give up on their plan or vision, since the economic forces are constantly against them. There must be an inherent self–belief, an unyielding motivation and a desire to prevail. I encourage you to adopt a similar quality in your pursuit to step out of your comfort zone.

Do not rest on your laurels since it is easy — remember, easy is not where the fruit of your success lies. You must be willing to take risks, whether big or small and gradually move in the direction of your dreams. Moreover, I invite you to think big and act big, to gain the greater rewards in life.

“Life happens to those who are willing to LIVE beyond their comfort zone!“