High School Pressure, College Anxiety & the Myth of “Falling Behind." ep 5

In this episode of A Home Visit, Dr. Toni Brayer and her granddaughter Kira Costa have an honest, intergenerational conversation about the pressure today’s teens face—from overloaded class schedules and AP courses to college anxiety, rising tuition costs, and the fear of “falling behind.”

Kira walks through her demanding junior-year schedule and the reality of academic stress, while Dr. Brayer reflects on how different high school and college were in previous generations. Together, they explore why elite colleges aren’t the only path to success, the value of junior college and gap years, and why the long game matters more than perfection at 17.

They also discuss social media as both a reset and a risk, the impact of constant scrolling on attention spans, and growing concerns around AI chatbots and emotional reliance on technology—especially for teens who feel isolated or overwhelmed.

This episode is a reminder that there are many ways to build a meaningful life—and that the only real mistake is never allowing yourself to reset.

Call to Action:
If you’re a teen, parent, or educator navigating school stress, mental health, or college decisions, this conversation is for you.
Subscribe for more honest conversations on health, life, and growing up—one home visit at a time.

00:00 Why We Started This Podcast
02:10 Kira’s Junior-Year Class Load
06:45 Why School Feels More Intense Than Ever
10:40 AP Classes & College Credit Pressure
14:20 College Anxiety & Tuition Shock
18:40 Do Elite Colleges Really Matter?
22:30 Junior College & Gap Years Explained
27:10 Social Media as a “Reset”
31:40 TikTok vs YouTube & Attention Spans
36:20 AI Chatbots & Teen Mental Health
42:30 “The Only Mistake Is Not Resetting”