by Sarah Small

We’re in the thick of the season that every senior has to go through – college application season. Many of the seniors (my peers) have expressed the stressfulness of senior year due to college apps.

During lunch (or any free time I get), my friends and I discuss colleges we’re applying to, what we want to major in, if we have Zelle or Hope, or if our essays are done yet. It’s a never-ending process until January. Finding time out of one’s busy schedule to work on college apps is usually picked over spending time with friends. Late nights and early mornings will never stop until the final word ‘Submit Application’ is clicked.

Sometimes the grind of completing these applications seems never ending – the college application process can be so limiting and tedious. Schools see such a limited picture, even though it feels like you’re including every piece of information about yourself. They don’t see who you are with your friends, or how you help out others, or any of the true challenges you face. You want to be well rounded but also scholarly and you try and soften your rough edges and seem almost picture perfect for some of these schools.

As little kids we dream about the day we go to college and fantasize about the movie scenes where the main character goes off and lives almost a ‘dream’ life. We hear constantly that it’s about the journey, not the destination, but the journey is so much longer than it seems. From one senior to another, I truly wish the best for anyone reading this (if you know a senior or are one). This may sound cliché, but it truly will all work out.