How to Feel Less Panicked About College

With November 1st in the past and regular decision deadlines around the corner, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by college applications. If that’s the case, you can try some of the following tips to help give you peace of mind.

1. If you have any questions, ask your CAC! It’s your first time applying to college, so it’s completely normal to be confused about something. If you’re confused about any part of the process, or just want them to look over your essays, they’ll be more than happy to help. To ensure they make time to focus on you, email your CAC or stop in to set up an appointment whenever you’re free. The CACs want to see you succeed! After all, seniors are their favorite students.
2. Make a plan for remaining essays, and leave yourself extra time. Chances are you still have some essays left. To help ease your mind, try to plan out when you’re going to complete each essay based on how long you think they’ll take to do and when they should be completed. Be sure to leave extra time to revise them, but also just in case anything comes up. An essay may take longer than expected, but if you build in time to account for that, you’ll be set.
3. Revise, but don’t overdo it. It’s extremely important to read over your essays. It’s easy to get into the habit of hardly reading over your essays for school (I myself am guilty of that), but don’t let that stop you from sending it to anyone you think will help you improve. Listen to the comments people make on your essays, but don’t feel pressured to make every single suggested change. It’s your essay, and colleges want to hear your voice and story, not your friend’s. You know yourself better than anyone else, so give yourself the final say.
4. It’s okay to take a break! Unless your application is due that day and you have substantial amounts of work, taking a break to focus on yourself is important. You don’t have to write an essay in one sitting, and coming back to an essay after a while can help you better revise it. Do something you enjoy, even if it’s just for half an hour. Watch TV, sign up for a trip, hang out with your friends, or even take a nap. As long as it’s something you enjoy, go for it.

As a senior myself, I am no authority on everything college-related, and these are just some tips that have helped me personally. If you’re still feeling particularly stressed, take comfort in the fact that almost 200 people around you are going through the same thing, and you can always talk to anyone you feel comfortable with. Just remember that we’re all in the same boat!