School can be tough around this time of year. With grades to worry about, many high school students worry what kind of college they can get into. In fact, I recently shared a conversation with one of my closest friends about school and colleges. As juniors, we were both becoming stressed out due to the fear that we won't get into any college at all. We questioned whether or not we are truly worthy of being picked by a college. We, like many others, fear rejection from our ideal colleges, especially when comparing ourselves to other students in our grade.

But the more I thought about this, the more I realized how ridiculous I was being. I reevaluated what I knew about myself and others and told myself the five things I needed to hear.

1. Stop worrying about what others are doing, and just worry about yourself.

What's the point of worrying about what others are doing? If you keep on worrying about what others are doing all the time, then what time do you have for yourself? I remember I used to keep on wondering how other people got high scores on their tests while I barely managed to get above average scores. I spent so much time worrying that I didn't stop, and yo think that all this time I'm wasting could have been spent on studying was a wake-up call.

2. There are people who wish they were you with the same grades and extracurriculars.

You are smart. You just feel inferior compared to the other people in your grade. Of course there are always going to be people smarter than you. But there are also people who may not have the best grades and always wish they had your grades. Be confident in yourself, and love yourself as is. The way you're doing things right now is perfect. Just work harder if you don't feel satisfied right now.

3. Colleges aren't looking for a group of the people with the same grades or the same extracurriculars.

They're looking for unique individuals. There's no point in comparing yourself with your classmates. Colleges do compare you among your peers, but they don't compare you solely on grades and extracurriculars. There are such things as college recommendation letters and interviews. Colleges are also interested in the type of person that you are. They want to know more about you and your personality. And just your fingerprint and your personality alone are unique in the universe.

4. You can do anything you set your mind to.

If you work hard, and you set your mind to do what you wish to accomplish, you can do it. You may feel like if the smartest kid in class solved the hardest question on the test, then how on earth would you solve that same exact question? It's easy. If you set your mind to it, and you keep on working hard, you can solve it. Don't belittle yourself when comparing yourself to your classmates. You can do anything they can do.

5. No one is perfect! Everyone is bound to have his or her own flaws.

Even the smartest people has their flaws. In my personal experience, I've seen the smartest people have a hard time socializing with others. You may sometimes wonder if the smartest people or the talented people were just born with it. Maybe they were. But maybe they weren't. They worked hard and found their flaws. No one can fix their flaws, but we can work to turn those weaknesses into strengths.

Sp, find your strengths, build yourself up and take on those college apps. You got this!