To me, junior year has been one big realization that I will not be in high school forever and that next year I’ll be living out in the real world. This is something I’ve known is going to happen, but I’ve always just thought, “I don’t need to worry yet,” or just assumed that I would need to deal with it later. Now that it’s almost the end of the school year, reality has struck: procrastination isn’t able to slide as easily anymore, as deadlines are quickly approaching, and I have to start making these big decisions about college now.
I’ve been researching schools and majors for a while now, so I have a strong idea about where I want to go and what I want to study. However, the thought of leaving and applying still scares me; what if I don’t get into any of my top choices? What if I do but can’t commit due to affordability or something else? I’ve been trying to be realistic and keep my options open, which leads to a lot of uncertainty. I’m confident about knowing what I want to do in the future, but since everything is up in the air now, it leads me to question how I will narrow my list of schools down when it comes time to apply.
It has been extremely overwhelming watching the current seniors be accepted into schools. A lot of ithas been happiness and excitement for their future, which gets me amped up for next year, but hearing their experiences regarding the process of applying and waiting to hear back is horrifying. Now it’s time to step into their shoes, as the Common Application for the class of 2026 opens on August 1, which, believe it or not, is in less than four months.
This means it’s grind time– all juniors should be scheduling regular college counselor meetings, locking in for classes to raise grades, asking for letters of recommendation, and so much more. It can be a lot to manage all at once, and it is easy to lose motivation when there is so much to do. The best piece of advice I’ve been given from upperclassmen throughout the years surrounding all of this is to stay on top of it. It’s okay to be stressed, but ultimately, so much of it is out of your control. You just have to go with the flow, even when the future is unpredictable.
Not being able to plan my next four years in advance is hard for me, as I need structure in my life and overthink almost everything. However, it is important to try not to overanalyze every possibility about the future and remember to take a deep breath when the thought of college becomes stressful. This process is hard for everyone, so for the next four months, it’s ok to stop, take a break, and be flexible. The most important thing to remember is that you will end up wherever is right for you, as everyone’s path is unique.
