At the end of my junior year, I already heard people talking about college. “Hailey, have you started making your list yet? Do you know where you want to go? What do you want to major in? Have you started your drafts for your essays yet?” The questions piled around me like a suffocating wall coming closer and closer with impending doom. Truthfully, I did not know all the answers to those questions. Without panicking, I started to realize that my college career was coming at a faster rate than I thought it would. I still have months to decide, right?
Yes, but technically no. You do still have months to decide. In fact, you have the whole summer to research programs, tour schools, and explore your options. However, it is also good to have a general idea of what you want to do, where you would like to go, and how you wish to achieve your future goals. In the midst of my unfazed state of mind, I started to research more schools and take the application process more seriously—but not to the point where I overwhelmed myself.
One of the major issues with the college application process is panicking. Understandably, it is reasonable to panic about college and the application process because it is extremely stressful and determines the next four years of your life. However, what most people fail to realize is that you will end up somewhere. If you overwhelm yourself and constantly panic then it will make it almost impossible for you to get any of your applications done because you will be too worried about making them absolutely perfect. There is no such thing as a “perfect” application because everyone comes from different backgrounds, takes different classes, participates in different extracurriculars, and more. Even if you do not get into your dream college, you will still go to a college that provides you with opportunities. Even if you think your essays are not good enough, you are already doing enough by taking the time and effort to write meaningful and significant pieces about yourself. Even if you believe your grades are horrific, there are a plethora of other factors and are vital to your identity as an applicant. Even if you think you are not enough, you will be okay.
Thus, to combat the college panic that most students experience, here is a list of the most important pieces of advice I have learned throughout my journey that kept me level headed:
- Start THINKING about your future early
This may sound a little backwards because it could induce more stress; however, for me personally, by thinking earlier about my future and having more time to research where I want to go, I ended up facing way less stress than I would have if I left it as a second thought for later. The key word is “thinking” because that does not mean you have to have your entire future plan ready by August of your senior year. Thinking is the hardest part of the process because it requires you to look back on life and realize that your life will change (and change is oftentimes harder to think about than to accept).
- Have a theme to your application
During my junior year I received this piece of advice from my former field hockey teammate Kaitlin Nguyen. She explained to me the importance of having a theme and how it elevates your application. For example, if you are wanting to major in economics but your application only highlights your other interests and skills like dance, biology, and theatre, your application does not show that you have a strong interest in that major. It is best to form your application to appeal to your desired major—including in your essays. If you want to major in economics, make sure your application shows that you have taken steps to explore your interest. By no means does that mean that your entire application has to be focused solely on your desired major, however, it will help you stand out as a much stronger applicant than other applicants if you show you have already taken the effort to experience what your future could hold.
- Take time for yourself
Lastly, although this piece of advice sounds simple, it is easier said than done. During the application process, many people forget to enjoy life because they are so stressed. Remember that it is perfectly acceptable to take time for yourself and that you do not have to be constantly worried about your application. It is important to stay happy and healthy and to enjoy your last year of high school.