In the upcoming days and weeks, millions of high school seniors across the United States will be going back to school. For some of them, this means the start of the dreaded college application season. As someone who went through this grueling process about a year ago myself and (somehow) survived, I thought that now would be as good a time as any to give all of the seniors out there some college application tips. Now this article is not going to include your run-of-the-mill "start your common app personal statement early" or "be sure to have safety schools" type of advice. Rather, it will focus on how to keep your sanity intact while still getting into an institution that's going to be perfect for you.

First, when making your college list, don't compare with the people around you. The college process has become so rigorous that many students feel the need to compare their top schools, and this often leads to insecurity or a false sense of academic superiority. There are a lot of great schools out there, but the most important thing is to find a school that's great for YOU. Remember that everyone is going to school looking for something different, so it's important that each person focuses on their own individual college journey.

Next, think about your essays as a chance to tell your story. Sure, the stereotypical idea of an old man in a brown suit with elbow patches circling your grammatical errors may be stressful, but it's important to make use of the opportunity to let the admissions staff get to know you as a person. Don't stress too much about highlighting all of your accomplishments, or writing about something that will make you "stand out". Instead, focus on showing the admissions office something that you care about, that you're passionate about. If you're faking it, they'll be able to tell.

Finally, try not to get overly stressed about college. You've worked hard over the past three years to set yourself up for success. Trust in that. Trust in the hours you've spent studying, the passion that drove your involvement in extracurriculars, and the fact that standardized test scores aren't everything. Use this time to explore, to try to find a place that is everything you've dreamed of. Have fun planning potential futures for yourself, even if you'll one day have to choose a singular path. Focus on enjoying your senior year and cherishing the moments with people that you may not see again after high school. Wave to the kid who was mean to you freshman year, talk to that girl in your math class who's name you haven't learned yet. Be the type of person who can be proud of what they leave behind when the graduate. Be the type of person who strides, not sprints, into that great beyond that exists after the last high school bells have rung. Be a senior that you would look up to.

And with that, I bid you the best of luck in all of your college endeavors. Remember that a higher education doesn't have to be for everyone, and that each person has the capacity to forge their own path.

You got this.