Let me start by saying that you should be worried. You should be concerned that your GPA isn’t high enough or that your test score doesn’t fall in the range of your dream university. You should be concerned because you are about to make one of the biggest decisions of your life, but what they don’t tell you is that the right choice will often find you.
I spent the entirety of my summer after junior year drafting essay after essay and cringing at the final result. I filled out an entire ACT prep book and researched colleges to no end. Yes, all the work I put in produced my common app essay and increased my scores, but the stress was unnecessary.
As college decisions came out, I watched my friends' hearts break in two and experienced heartbreak myself. You will have your heart broken. You will not get into one or more of the schools you wanted to, but you will go where you were always meant to. You will grow because of it.
So, do spend your summer working your absolute hardest on college essays and test prep. Do so, so that you feel confident about your application. Do everything in your power to make yourself the strongest applicant possible so that you don’t kick yourself for not spending ten extra minutes on an essay. This way, even if you get denied, you know there was nothing more you could have done to help yourself. Don’t stress about it, though. Do your best, but don’t stress out about not getting in, because the chances of getting denied from at least one school of your choosing is pretty high.
In the next year, you will experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in regards to college. You will get accepted, deferred, denied, and wait listed. You will cry, laugh, smile, and feel emotions deeper than you ever have before. Try not to stress. If you do your best in preparing for applications, you will have the most enjoyable last year of high school with your friends. You will celebrate together and cry when it’s time to leave.
Work hard this summer, try not to stress yourself out, and enjoy the next year.