Each year, the CommonApp portal reopens, and numerous colleges send emails to convince high schoolers to consider their campus. This process tends to spark anxiety, causing countless rising seniors to face stress regarding the college application process. However, the path to submitting college forms can present a joyous opportunity as teenagers begin to plan their futures.
A prominent reason this period in life causes stress for students obviously lives in the uncertainty regarding what lies ahead. This fear may derive from the unpredictability of college admissions, the indecision of a future major or the uneasiness of what college holds. While higher education presents a newfound freedom, numerous students do not know how to grapple with the autonomy of time and choices, an ability they did not possess under the confines of a mandated schedule.
“My experience was stressful but exciting at the same time. It felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Although it was a lot of essays and applications, it was also rewarding and taught me more about myself. It helped me learn that freedom and independence aren’t just about fun and fewer rules. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with it, a lot more is in my own hands. It’s important not to rush adulthood because there are so many responsibilities to deal with all at once,” magnet senior Geianah Thomas said.
It remains important to note that a heavy weight of fear accompanies the change, yet the anxious feeling does not negate the fact that choosing one’s own future brings a wealth of possibilities. With endless options, a high schooler can truly begin to narrow down his or her interests and ultimately direct the course of their future. In this transition to adulthood, applying to college aids seniors in uncovering their true priorities. Whether an applicant loves a populated school versus an isolated one, a variety of extracurriculars or minimal involvement, endless work and internship opportunities or a fun college experience, students’ inner desires and hopes for the future become realized with a clearer vision of high school’s close.
Additionally, college applications promote nostalgia and camaraderie among peers. As classmates reflect on their time together and await the potential of their future, a newfound sense of unity forms. These students, who have faced the stresses of Advanced Placement (AP) exams and all-nighters, as well as the fun of school dances and football games, begin to realize their paths will soon part ways. Classmates grow a bittersweet fondness for one another as they see their futures blossom, only adding to the bliss of college application season.
Lastly, applying to college allows teenagers to appreciate the culmination of their hard work. Every AP class, club, SAT study session and supplemental essay creates a web of dedication that college applicants unravel as they form their resumes. Though numerous high schoolers can find themselves lost in the mundane repetition of weekdays, they can look back on their past four years and discover that their effort paid off.
“My college application experience was pretty smooth, especially because I knew I only wanted to apply to a few schools. I also made sure to prepare as early as possible by asking for recommendations by the end of my junior year, drafting essays, and creating a list of all of my extracurriculars. By then, the hardest part was clicking submit! The application process got me to look at myself from the perspective of a university and to ask what I have to offer them and the rest of the world. Besides just listing a bunch of random extracurriculars and test scores, I feel like my applications have revealed a holistic image of who I am and what I represent,” magnet senior Tristan Mick said.
Ultimately, college applications receive a negative reputation for the stress they impose. While these anxieties remain valid and students’ fears of independence and change hold weight, the application process provides myriad blessings unrecognizable at first glance. Applying to college carries the ability for merriment as students realize that change can bring positive experiences. Teenagers’ personalities grow and develop along with their interests and passions, which college applications reflect. In embracing the newness, teenagers can learn how to tackle fresh independence, discover their interests, bond with peers and congratulate themselves on their own hard work.
