Dear Stressed Senior,

You’ve been through a lot this past semester. You’ve been on tours, took the SAT for what feels like the hundredth time, slaved over essays, finished your endless list of forms and applications, and somehow managed the work for your current classes. I’m not going to lie to you, senior year of high school is hard! I’m sure that the pressure of the next chapter of your life is setting in and maybe, if you’re like me, you’re freaking out. I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to freak out and to not know what to do, but don’t let that fear or stress take away from enjoying this year. Senior year is a rollercoaster of emotions. At this point in the year, you’re slowly making your way to the top of a gigantic hill, and then it will all be over in the blink of an eye.

This being said, it is important to enjoy the little bit of time that you have left in your senior year. Though you may feel like you have a million things to do, you have to remember to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. You want to be able to experience the rest of the year to its fullest, and you can’t do that if you’re fatigued or stressed. The whole process of going to college is difficult, but you do not need to let it take away from the rest of your final year in high school. Make time for your family, friends, and school activities. Do not let your fear of the future distract you from the joy in your life right now.

I want you to know that whether you are accepted, rejected, or waitlisted at a school, you should be thankful. For many seniors, choosing a school can be the most stressful part of the college process. The response that any college gives you is a good one, because it points you in the direction of where you are supposed to be. We may not understand why, after all of our hard work, our ideal plans don’t work out. It is when this happens that you must remember that you will end up where you need to be. You need to trust that good will come from whatever situation you are in, and allow yourself to be proud of your hard work and thankful for the responses of your prospective colleges.

I sincerely hope that you are able to grow personally during this college process. It is a time to be excited about your future and to find the place, be it college or not, where you will be able to better yourself. In choosing a school, you need to think about who you are and what you value in order to choose a school that mirrors yourself. The best fit for you will be the school that feels like home; the place where you can be yourself and strive for greatness each day. It can be scary to think about moving on to a new environment, but you should always remember that college is going to hold so many memorable and exciting moments that will help you grow into who you are meant to be. You’ll meet amazing people, take life-changing classes, and discover more and more what it is that you want to do with the precious life you’ve been given. Do not be scared, be excited for the wonderful times ahead!

This isn’t supposed to be an easy process, and stress is expected. Remember to pay attention to your current school work, friends, and family. This is not a life or death decision, and it should be an exciting rather than a stressful time. Take comfort in knowing that you will end up where you need to be. Ultimately, you decide what your experience in college is going to be like. It is a gift to go to college; never let the feelings of happiness and gratitude leave you as you embark on this new journey. I sincerely hope that your stress is replaced with joy and excitement for your future and I hope that these last months of high school are filled with many happy times for you. Enjoy each moment of this process, it will be over before you know it! You are too blessed to be stressed!

Sincerely,

A Senior Year Survivor