Part of the problem is how little time one has to prepare for college. If we encouraged people to apply to college after a few years of adult life, I have a feeling the playing field would be a little better. But instead we expect kids to gain the credentials of much older adults while going to school and getting fantastic grades. Unless you understand the game going in, it's too easy to slip up and fall behind. Even then, you don't have time for mental health or sleep.