FAFSA. College applications. College essays. Looking at colleges you may want to go to. Thinking about a major. Classes. Socializing. Sports. Volunteering. It is a lot. It gets overwhelming. I shared those memes too about the girl freaking out over all that comes with senior year. I would spend hours on Pinterest looking at pictures of dorms and saving the "ultimate college list" too. Everyone before you has done it and everyone after you will too. I spent most of junior and senior year doing this. So, I am here to give some tips to help make your senior year a little less stressful.
1. Take a day to Google colleges in your state and create a Fastweb profile.
Fastweb is so amazing. I get at least three emails a day about scholarships and internships. They also can connect you to colleges that fit your preferences. You can briefly look over colleges, and some may even show interest in you! Fastweb is one of the best websites you can sign up for to help during your college search. Also, IT'S FREE. Be sure to compare public and private schools as well. Sometimes private schools can give you better financial aid packages than a public school can. Think about what kind of college experience you want. And don't rule out community colleges because that's not what you planned!
2. Go to see college admissions counselors when they come.
This is how I found Hollins! I met with a wonderful woman and had such a wonderful conversation with her about the school, the community, and books! It was just me and her. I came home and told my parents that that was the place I wanted to be. About a year later, I’m at that place! This is such a great way to get to know the kind of people a college produces.
3. Start on FAFSA as soon as you can. Seriously.
FAFSA is on a first come, first serve basis. The best financial aid is offered to those who come first. There is a limited number of grants so please please please jump on that as soon as you can. Force mom and dad to sit down the moment they are free and help you fill it out. You'll regret not doing so when move in day is three weeks away and you have to scramble to cover the rest of your costs.
4. Start saving now.
The first weekend the shuttle runs, be ready to be out the whole night shopping with your friends. You don't want to be the one who barely has any money saved and has to limit yourself. Also, be prepared for random runs to CVS or fast food joints. They happen more often that you think. You also never know when you need to buy something for emergency purposes. Mom and dad can’t be there all the time to save you. Be your own superhero and save your money.
5. Start buying your dorm stuff early and sporadically.
I’m glad I did this because that way I could slowly buy new things every couple of weeks. I personally was so excited about going to college and time seemed to crawl by during the summer. To tide myself over, I bought things here or there so I could calm my excitement. You don’t want to just got out and blow all your money in one day then have dorm stuff sitting in the corner all summer.
6. Join your school’s class Facebook page ASAP.
Once you get accepted to colleges and you pick the one you decide to spend your time and dollars on, join that college’s class of (insert year) on Facebook. It took me way too long to do this and it took me a couple weeks after I joined to make connections with people. The sooner you join, the more people you can get to know. Your classmates may also be able to answer your questions faster and in simpler terms that an admissions counselor can.
6. GET EXCITED.
Your senior year is one of your most memorable. Make the most of it! Go to all the last games and senior nights for your friends. Dress up every day for spirit week! Go to prom, with or without a date. I didn’t have one and I had the best time. Have school spirit, both high school and college! Make mistakes. Pass on your wisdom to the underclassmen. We’re all in this together.
