Facing Disappointment
At the time of this writing I am a practitioner with offices near two private universities, both of which attract high-achieving students, I see a number of young adults struggling to face disappointment. In general, our society does a poor job of preparing young people for the inevitable disappointments in life – even more so for those born with “bright futures.” Expectations for these individuals have always been high, whether self-imposed or inflicted by peer pressure or parents. Their lives have focused mainly on achievement and accomplishment. In many cases, self-worth is tied to accomplishment and less on shared values and connections to family and friends. These individuals come to college unprepared for the steep wall of competition. Added to that stress is the newness of experiencing the world of adult relationships for the first time and all the discouragement that may encompass. High achievers in general are vulnerable to disappointment. Yet they are young, intelli...