Senior year can be difficult: it is the last year of high school, and the preparation for your college career combined with hard classes can be a struggle. There are countless nights seniors spent without sleep because of anxiety about applications—What if I don’t get in? Where else should I apply? Is my application good enough? The stress can be overwhelming and many students do not feel like they are receiving the help they need.
Fortunately, the weight of this issue can be lessened thanks to our campus resources. San Marcos students have access to the College & Career Center, which is run by Ms. Woodward and designed to help students prepare for their future. And if you need more aid than what is provided at the College & Career Center, try and reach out to your teachers! Many teachers are more than happy to help students with their college applications, and can provide meaningful advice and counsel. On top of campus resources, there are online resources such as college websites, where you can read about other college applicants’ experiences, compare notes, and get advice on what to write.
If you feel like you are alone in this struggle, you are not. Many seniors at San Marcos High School are also applying to colleges and experiencing similar levels of stress.
When asked about applying for colleges, senior Mya Shenoda explains how she copes with the stress: “I make sure to stay on top of the work by creating an agenda so I don’t procrastinate. I also use resources, such as college essay guide webinars that I can find online for free. I’ve also had a couple of meetings with Ms. Woodard from the College and Career Center, and she explained how I can improve my essay writing style.”
Another senior, Sean Nguyen, offered his own opinion on how to deal with stress. “When I am applying to colleges, I try to prevent procrastination by creating a schedule for myself,” said Nguyen. “By decreasing the amount I procrastinate, I feel less stressed. With revising my essays, I ask for help from my family and Ms. Woodard. Having the support of my family and capable adults, I feel a sense of relief because I trust their input.”
Being wrapped up in the stress and work of college applications can make it hard to enjoy your last year of high school. But at the end of the day, remember to live a little. Do the things you love – or try something new, such as joining a club you’ve never been to, get involved with school events, attend sports games, and go out with friends. Just remember that everyone has a different method to freeing themself of the stress. Some people don’t wait, they just do the work and stop worrying about it. Others take their time, making schedules to feel confident and in control.
