When most people think of the fall, people often think of the leaves changing, the air growing colder, and the start of a new school year. Seniors, however, have one thing on their mind: the early application for college. We want to remind the seniors at SHS of a few things as they approach this time of nerves, excitement, and decision making:

1. Every day, you’re one day closer to becoming a second semester senior. Think about it – St. Patrick’s Day, senior options, #baha2k18 – what could be better? In the heat of handing in your early applications, just power through and think about all of the fun and privileges in your near future.
2. Even though it seems like your worst enemy, the college application process is actually teaching you important lessons. “The application process provided me with a lot of valuable information about higher education, as well as how to really apply myself to a goal,” remarked Noah Sklar ‘17, a student who has already broken through the gruesome wrath of applications.
3. Everything happens for a reason. If you get rejected by a school, then maybe that school was not as good of a fit for you as you originally thought. There are so many other schools that may suit you better.
4. Getting into college, as most people know, can sometimes just be a matter of luck. So, don’t let a school’s rejection shake your confidence.
5. College is college, and no matter where you go, you’re still going to college! Sometimes, in a town as competitive as ours, we take the fact that most SHS graduates go to college for granted. However, only about 40% of Americans between the ages of 25 and 64 have a college degree, so cherish this oncoming experience, because the majority of U.S. adults did not have the opportunity to do so.
6. There’s more than one school where you can be happy. Think back to those thousands of college visits you made – how many of those schools absolutely disgusted you? Probably not all of them. As we said before, everything happens for a reason, and wherever you end up you can make it a great experience.
7. You are most definitely not alone. The application process is something that every senior, past and present, goes through and they all know that it’s flat out brutal. If you’re in need of encouragement or just another person to rant to about how the Common App is ruining your life, reach out to your friends and you will be happy to see that they’re feeling the same way.
8. There is no denying that the college application process is nerve wracking – anyone can see that. However, the way you handle those nerves is up to you. You can either have trouble enjoying your time and writhe in your own anxiety, or you can take this part of your life in stride. Make jokes about it! Use it as a bonding experience with your classmates! Or, once you’ve submitted the applications, stop thinking about it entirely!
9. If you ever fantasize about skipping to the future where you are already in college, stop wishing your life away. Your senior year of high school (usually) only happens once and is only a few months long, so enjoy the time while you have it!
10. If you feel like you have heard these words of encouragement thousands of times from your family and friends and now you find them more frustrating than the actual college process, don’t fret! In just a few months, you will never have to anxiously read an article like this one ever again.