The beginning of senior year is an incredibly exciting time. You're getting ready to finally leave high school and wear whatever you want, go to senior dances, football games, participate in a senior prank, and much, much more. Although these events are amazing and everyone can't wait to do them—to make unforgettable memories—the somewhat frightening reality kicks in about what you're actually going to do after high school. College is super exciting to think about, but the process leading to it can be a bit crazy, especially when you do not know what you're doing. We all know people learn from other's mistakes, so I have thought about all the experiences I have heard, including my own, and have created a list of seven things I think everyone needs to keep in mind while applying to colleges.
1. If You Didn’t Apply In The Summer, Don’t Stress Out
If you’re sitting in your fall decorated house stressing out because all of your friends applied for college in August and you haven't even toured, don't freak out… I've been there. For some reason or another I had no idea early registration was a thing, but it’s okay. Fall is really the time to crack down and start applying and it is when most kids begin the process. There are still plenty of spots to fill but make sure you have all your deadlines in order. You don't want to risk forgetting about an application because you were so focused on getting school work done and going to senior-year events.
2. This Isn't The Time To Pull An All-Nighter
We’ve all been there when we choose to go out with our friends and watch Netflix instead of doing our tedious English paper due the next day. Keep in mind that your English paper just affects a small percentage of your grade for one class that semester, and you can make up for it later whereas your college essay is not the same. Your entire application will decide whether you get to experience four years of fun and a good education at your dream school. Don’t ruin that by procrastinating: You will regret it later.
3. Keep Your Major In Mind
When picking a college, your major can make it or break it. My major is Interior Architecture, and I live in Wisconsin. The amount of UW schools that offer that degree are slim to none. I learned that if that was what I truly wanted to do, I would have to search out and accept the colleges that actually had my degree. Thankfully, I found a school I love, but it is something I never thought about that could have proposed a problem.
4. You May Not Get Into Your Top School… And That's Okay
Everyone has those rough patches and knows high school is about finding yourself; with that comes mistakes. Some of them could possibly be a deal breaker for a school. Remember that there are lots of colleges out there, some similar to your dream school and some very different. Everything happens for a reason. It never hurts to have a top two choice schools, just in case. If you're really set on going to a certain school, give it a year and try something else. Maybe go to a community college to save money or find a school similar to see if you like that one as well. You can always transfer to the other school the next year. Remind yourself that this gives you another door to open; it’s not postponing your life.
5. The Waiting List Is Not The End
After you apply for colleges, you eagerly await the yes or no, only to forget about the extremely stressful maybe. The waiting list is very common for many people, especially when applying to big schools. Do not settle and take your name off. You never know what can happen and even though you may not get the best dorm or class schedule, you'll be surrounded by your first choice environment: Nothing can top that. The waiting list can feel painful since you could wait for up to a few months, but try to focus on other school work and senior year events to distract yourself and stay positive.
6. Don’t Be Afraid To Say ‘I Don't Know’
Thanksgiving will be like that college questionnaire you took to figure out what you actually want to do in life. Your family will want to know every single detail and you will sound like a broken record by the time you graduate, even if the answers change over time. When you start to apply for colleges, you learn what it feels like to be bombarded with overwhelming questions about where you want to go and what you want to do. It is okay to say, "I don't know". You will hear and see endless stories of students going in undecided or changing their major. It is more common than you think, and it is completely normal. It’s a lot all at once to think about and until you get into your specific classes for your major, you won't quite be able to understand what your dream job really entails.
7. You Are Starting Fresh. Embrace It.
College is a time to start new. No one knows what group you were in during high school or what embarrassing moments haunted you everyday. Don’t hold back when exploring all of your possibilities for what is available, between clubs and the town life. Make sure you really want to go to the school for your own reasons and don't be afraid to apply to a school that might not fit the social norm. Your friends and family won't be living with you, so make sure that school offers the experience you wish for.
In the end, I wish you the best during this exciting and nerve-wracking time in your life. It goes by quick, and in the end it will feel totally worth it. I promise that holding that acceptance letter will feel like the best moment ever.
Good luck!
