Last weekend, I finally finished my ninth and final college application. At last, freedom! The last few months have been some of the most stressful in my entire life. Not because they had to be, but because I allowed them to be. That’s why I am writing this piece. Along the college process road, I learned a lot through trial and error. Perhaps, for those of you reading this who have yet to do applications and have a tendency to procrastinate, this could be helpful. Here are 3 valuable tips for tackling the mighty college hunt.
1. Make sure you know what you’re doing. Now, this may sound like a given, but believe me—it’s not. The college process is often unnecessarily complicated and just plain strange. Every college has its own take on the application process: different supplements, different requirements, and sometimes a different application form altogether. Organization is not only the key to making sure you don’t miss deadlines and requirements but also the key to not feeling overwhelmed. The sum
mer before senior year, or even earlier, make a spreadsheet. It will take an hour, probably even less, and the payoff is far worth it. In it, you can organize the schools you’re applying to, their application deadlines, required supplements, needed test scores, and any other information you may need. For me, this tactic lifted a major weight off my shoulders. I knew what tasks had to be done and by when, and I had a system with which to organize my thoughts and plan.
2. Be careful with time management. We’ve all heard about how important it is to properly delegate your time. However, if you’re anything like me, procrastination has become a way of life. For the sake of college applications and simply being a productive member of society this can’t stay the case. There’s really one main reason for procrastination, and that’s the intimidation you feel for the task you have to do. You know college apps are a process; you know they’re a lot of writing, and frankly you’d rather be doing other things. Just remember: much of what colleges really want to see is writing talent and passion. What you need to do is take the time to look at the prompts; take a while to mull them over, and then get started. The earlier you begin, the more time you’ll have to think, to edit, and to make things just how you want them to be.
3. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. I was just overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things that needed to be done; I didn’t know where or even how to start. Talk to your Guidance Counselor, Ms. Green (our school College and Career Counselor), or even just your parents. Don’t let yourself feel burdened. Believe me, so many people are willing to proofread, to explain, and to spend time with you to make sure you truly understand the college process. Use these resources at school and outside of it in order to be proactive and confident at this important time of planning your future.
Overall, don’t be your own worst enemy. Don’t allow yourself to feel overburdened. You know what’s best for you. Remember: applying to college is by all means important, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Once you know the right steps and how to follow them, it’s just as manageable as anything else.
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