For most seniors, the start of their senior year is an incredibly hectic and high-stakes time. And let me tell you, that was no different for me. Thankfully, I can finally say I am done submitting all my college applications! Many of my friends have asked for tips on how I was able to keep the process as stress-free as possible, so here are my top ten things  to keep in mind during the process:

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Ten things that helped me:

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1. Have As Many People Read Your Essay As Possible

Whether your essay is in the rough draft stage, finalized, or 300 words over, my advice is to let everyone read it! From your English teacher, parents, or even a friend who’s a great writer or knows your story very well, let them read it and give feedback. This is one of the most crucial things you can do, as each person will pick up a different error or run-on sentence, and can offer advice on how to improve it and make it as authentic as possible.

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2. Don’t Share Your List

Unsolicited advice is the worst, especially when it comes to college. Whether it’s family or friends, everyone has their own opinions. My advice is to keep your list to yourself and your parents, because it’s not anyone's right to know where you’re applying. You don’t want others to give you negative opinions or influence a school you might be really excited about!

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3. Start Early

I started researching and touring colleges in the fall of my junior year and narrowed down my list in the spring. This timeline was perfect for me, as someone with almost too many activities in the fall and winter. When spring came, I was able to set aside that free time to visit the schools I was very curious and passionate about. I started everything college application-related around this time as well and finished my Common App essay in early July! This allowed me to keep my senior fall relatively stress-free, and I would definitely recommend doing the same.

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4. Break It Down Step By Step

I know, it seems pretty obvious, right? Although college applications can get overwhelming, and it might feel like you’ll never get through them, if you break them down into smaller chunks, they can seem more manageable. Make a schedule for yourself, for example, like on this day you’ll work on writing your essay and just putting all your thoughts out, and then the next day you will edit it. This makes it less stressful for you in the long run!

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5. Keep Yourself On a Timeline

Similar to the last tip, making a timeline is extremely important. Choose a date that you want your essay to be done, and make a plan to work on it, whether it’s 20 minutes per day for one week or 1 hour a week. If you have realistic expectations of when you want to hit submit, it can help you get it all done!

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6. Make a List of What You Want For Your Schools

When I first started touring, I sat down and made a list of 10 non-negotiables I needed in a school, along with a few other important things I wanted. As I started forming my list, it really helped me narrow it down and identify which schools offered what I wanted. This is the next four years of your life, be picky! Some things to think about are size, location, or even majors.

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7. Don’t Procrastinate

Seems easier said than done, right? Trust me, you’ll want to procrastinate as much as possible. But let me tell you, the feeling of just sitting down and getting it done is the best! Similar to the other tips, carve out a block of time to just get it done, and don’t let yourself get up until you complete your intended task! You don’t want to be stressed out and cramming at the last minute to get everything done the night before the deadline, let yourself be able to enjoy the start of senior year stress-free, knowing that you got all the heavy work done before!

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8. Tour Multiple Times

If you are able, I suggest choosing your top 2-3 schools to see again. I saw a school in November that I loved, but after seeing a few other schools and going back in May, I realized it was too big for me and didn’t compare to the others. On the other hand, going back to a school I absolutely loved and seeing it in a different school solidified my decision to apply there and made me realize that no other school could compare to it!

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9. Don’t Compare or Be Influenced

Don’t feel the need to share with anybody; it’s nobody's business but yours. You don’t want one person’s negative opinion to sway you away from a school you love. Being influenced by others, whether they are your peers or your extended family, is the worst, and you don’t need to be confused by the swarm of opinions coming your way.

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10. Be Open-Minded and Open to Change!

Something you thought you might want at the beginning of the process could end up being completely different than what you end up wanting in a school. Don’t let being closed-minded take away the opportunity of finding the school of your dreams! You're allowed to change your mind; in fact, that’s part of the process. Trust your gut, and know you will make the right decision in the end.

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