As much as I wish I had a secret formula for the anxious souls who click on this page, I’ll have to be realistic. There is much more of this process that is out of our control than we may realize, and that’s okay. In fact, I think there is power in letting fate take the driver’s seat. You’ve already worked so hard, and the results will take care of themselves (sometimes in unexpected ways!).
This can be hard to believe in times of uncertainty and comparison. While it is important to work hard and achieve the best results you can, it’s also crucial to remember that this is just one of many chapters in your journey. As someone who has survived the process, I’ve shared some advice that will hopefully help you thrive. With clear goals and effective stress management, you can make your journey joyful and full of self discovery instead of anxiety.
- Don’t listen to college influencers online
Notice how they’re all trying to sell you something! A couple hundred dollars will sound like they can get you a perfect SAT score. Commenting “ESSAY” will supposedly send the perfect secret essay formula straight into your DMs. In an age of growing academic expectations and acceptance reaction videos spreading online, it’s easy to profit off of the anxiety that students feel. Often, these influencers will convince you your application is lacking something extremely important that only their advertised services can salvage. However, your college counselors will be able to offer you objective advice that provides a more accurate view on where you stand. Moreover, they have years of experience as admissions officers, making them much more reliable sources of information than Joe Schmoe on Instagram. If you feel overwhelmed, put the phone down, write down what worries you, and ask your counselor for advice. It will help you put things into perspective and find honest answers from someone who truly wants you to succeed.
2. Find a study routine that works for you
Despite what many people tell you, waking up at 5AM is not a guarantee of success. Forcing yourself into a routine that doesn’t work with your body or natural habits will leave you groggy instead of productive. If staying up later works with your schedule and feels more secure than leaving the work for the morning after, that’s totally okay! Just make sure you’ll be on time for your morning commitments and that the total amount of sleep adds up to a substantial number. A routine that leaves you feeling rested will help you work more efficiently the first time around to avoid last-minute cramming. Don’t forget to make use of idle time as well! If you’re waiting at the bus stop, it’s a perfect time to review your Quizlet flashcards or knock out some pages of reading. These little dents you make will accumulate and save you lots of work that would otherwise be piling up right before the due date. All of the time you’ll free up leaves you more time to polish your college essays before the deadline, or even just to rest and explore your passions beyond academics.
3. Authenticity is key
As cliche as this may sound, the application essays that feel the most natural to write can be an indicator of what majors or schools you can succeed in. If you aren’t sure what you want to study yet, write down a list of your extracurricular activities and personality traits that describe you. From there, you may be able to find common themes that will narrow down potential college and career paths. I’ve found that this is more helpful than approaching it the opposite way. Picking a more reputable but less enjoyable major to mold yourself around will result in a stiff-sounding essay that doesn’t flow or feel natural. If you still feel unsure what you want to study, don’t worry. Many liberal arts colleges and private universities in particular allow students to explore different subjects before declaring a major in sophomore or junior year. For students with interdisciplinary interests, these schools can be good fits that will let their strengths shine.
4. Keep your goal in mind
It can be as specific as commercial litigation law or as broad as any Top 20 school. However, what really matters is knowing how important that goal is to you and making good choices that bring you closer to them. Our teenage years are prone to rebellion, or dabbling into cool “adult” things to feel a sense of belonging. However, as much as high school is a time to make mistakes and grow, the wrong decisions can potentially close a lot of doors for you. A bad test or a failed friendship won’t destroy your college dreams (no one’s looking for perfection!), but partying with alcohol and cyberbullying cliques can get you in serious trouble. One rule of thumb is to think about how you’d feel if you wrote a story about it for admissions officers to see. Imperfect friendships can teach you valuable lessons that demonstrate your maturity and self-awareness. But getting wasted at ACL may raise a few eyebrows. Sometimes, it’s the “uncool” people from high school who end up achieving great things in life. Think about the long term, stay true to yourself, and be the good person your future self will thank.
These years of your life are just as important as they are temporary. While the choices you make and your effort can distinguish you from others, this is only the beginning. As grateful as I am for the results I’ve gotten, I still have many regrets about sacrificing my happiness and health for them (chronic stress hives and hair loss are not cute…). It takes much trial and error to figure out how you’ll prioritize your time, while ensuring your college choices will bring you to your dreams. However, finding that balance is what will help you thrive beyond just academics. Remember, colleges are looking for people who aren’t just smart, but who are also filled with joy and exciting stories to tell. That part of your life is just as worth dedicating yourself to as those grades. And don’t forget to celebrate once it’s all over! You got this 🙂