A few years ago I was in your shoes.

I was a happy and nervous senior in high school trying to squeeze in as many memories before graduation as possible. But the one thing that kept creeping back into my mind was where the hell was I going to go to college. It didn’t help that I had my parents and advisors and the rest of my family were asking basically every time I saw them what I was doing with the next chapter in my life. It brought my nervous through the roof and what made it even worse was when they would ask me what I wanted to to major in.

Well if you are like I was at the time I’m here to tell you to breathe.

You’ll find your perfect fit in due time; its okay if you don’t start applying for schools until later, a little later, than what your advisor has been preaching to you. I’m not giving you the green light to push it off until end of March because that’s too late, but if you don’t apply for all early acceptances its entirely okay.

Also apply to where your gut and heart are telling you. Do not only apply to in-state schools, unless that’s what you truly want. I didn’t apply to ANY in-state schools. I applied to New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Illinois schools; I did this against my advisor’s wishes because she felt I needed a safety school or that it was a long shot I’d get into those schools. I got into every single place I applied and I had the world at my fingertips. That would have never happened if I would have listened to her instead of what my heart wanted and what my gut knew. Now safety schools are a great idea, but don’t solely focus on the safe options, focus on your dream options, but be realistic about it to.

Do not apply to Ivy league schools if you don’t have Ivy league test scores and GPA, and if tuition for a school is outrageously expensive talk to your parents first before committing to it.

When it comes to choosing a major, you got time, loads of time, nothing but time. I was blessed with knowing what I wanted to major in before the second week of classes my freshmen year of college. I have friends here just now, as juniors, decided what they want to do as a major and they are still able to graduate on time. So when your parents, grandparents, or teachers haggle you about what your major is, do not stress on what to tell them. Just say, “I’m focusing on finding the school best fit for me, the major will come later,” or something like “I’m general studies for now, but I’m sure I’ll find something later on.”

Don’t sweat your future it’ll still be there after you have your fun.

I hope this has helped some of you nervous seniors in high school. I hope you have a great year full of memories of sports games, dances, pranks, and prom.