“Where are you applying to college?” “Have you submitted your applications yet?” “Did you finish your Common App essay?” “How many schools are you applying to?” This is only the beginning of the long list of questions I hear at least three times a day. It is not a bad thing; I love to talk about the colleges I am infatuated with. What I do not love, however, is seeing my friends having mental breakdowns every single day. So, here are a few words.

First of all, for most schools, regular decision deadlines are not until January. Yes, early action/decision has benefits, but remember all the time one still has left. Worrying so much about meeting a deadline on top of all the school work our teachers give us incites immense stress. So, if one must apply regular decision to a few schools, it is okay! One’s GPA might go up after first trimester anyway, so remember that is a plus.

University of Miami’s website maps out ways to apply to college stress-free, noting the importance of making our guidance counselors our BFF. They explain that guidance counselors often work closely with admissions officers, meaning they usually have the hook-up. Our guidance counselors are here to help, so if one needs to know how to apply for the honors college in 24 hours, ask them! If one needs help writing or editing an essay, his or her guidance counselor knows how to help. It is also really fun to ask friends to edit and help with essays. (I would love to edit any and all essays.) Teen Life’s website also noted the importance of getting to know one’s guidance counselor, especially considering the letter of recommendations they may write. Developing a relationship with a guidance counselor can not answer questions, but it can also insure that letters of recommendation involve as much of your personality as possible.

Jay Matthews, writer for the Washington Post, explained that one way to reduce college admissions stress includes remembering that people succeed due to character, not the college they graduated from. The most heartbreaking thing to hear my peers say involves something along the lines of “I am applying to college x, y and z, but I probably will not get in.” Have some confidence in yourself! So, what if my test scores and GPA are a little below University of Southern California’s middle fifty percent? I will still be applying; I just had to recognize that it is a reach, and if I am not accepted, oh well. People are admitted into schools based on their character and essay all the time. If I do not get into Columbia, I will not worry about it. Having ambition is awesome, yet there are hundreds of incredible colleges in the United States; do not get so hyped up about one specific school.

Now for those who have already sent his or her applications, relax! Be happy that the application is done, and stop worrying about it. Teen Life’s website noted that asking people where they are in the application process can just stress both individuals out. Hearing about the people who already have everything done and are already accepted into their schools can make one feel like he or she is behind regardless of if he or she actually is. Do not worry about where others are in their process because frankly, this is their process, and we both know how annoying it is to have to tell people everything that still needs to get done.

I am applying to fifteen colleges. I have not submitted any applications yet. I finished my Common App essay. Am I stressed? Absolutely. I know how to handle it, though, and I know that whether I get into NYU or not will not kill me. It is all about perspective, so whether one gets in or not, just think about all the effort that went into applying, and all the fun to come third trimester. (Not that I condone senioritis.)