I recall sitting at the dinner table at an extended family gathering. Per usual, my senior cousin Christina was answering a barrage of questions from the family: “Where are you considering going for college?” “What did you score on your ACT?” “Are you going to break up with your boyfriend before you go to college?” and so on. I, as a junior, somewhat enjoyed watching her sweat under the pressure of the expectancy to have her life together. Suddenly, my aunt walks over and starts asking about my future. I was dumbfounded; do I, as a mere junior, need to have my life entirely together and on track?

In all honesty, I cannot give a clear-cut answer to that question. Different people have different issues to tackle. Some students need to boost their grades. Others worry about pressing financial issues. Most are blindly stumbling through the labyrinth of high school and have no idea where they want to go or what they want to do for the rest of their lives. A select few choose the “ignorance is bliss” attitude. Even fewer people have their life all figured out.

The Petersons website provides an entire timeline of tasks that juniors can complete to prepare for college. It recommends that by the end of the winter, juniors should complete the PSAT, make a list of desired colleges and prepare for standardized tests. By the start of our senior year, we will have to nail down desired scholarships, seriously reflect on our finances and tackle college applications and recommendations. While I appreciate the orderliness of this timeline, it only stresses me out even more. What if you have not taken the ACT yet? What if you currently struggle with your financial situation? Here’s my reply: how old are you again?

I do not want to scare any juniors or underclassmen into preparing for college. Do I have a general idea of what I want to do, where I want to go and how I want to live? Sure. Could that all change at any given time? Absolutely. Thinking about my end goal and knowing that I am working through my checklist to reach that goal gives me peace of mind. I do not feel comfortable dealing with the unknown, especially college. I like to know what lies ahead. For other juniors who have faced or currently face similar worries, believe me, we honestly cannot do much other than bide our time for senior year.

We are teenagers in high school. I forget this fact quite often. Concerning my personal college checklist, does checking off things like GPA, extracurriculars and the ACT feel good? Sure! I should also allow myself, however, to go see that new movie or have coffee with my friends instead of worrying about my readiness for the ACT or my future finances. We are only young once. I may feel like an adult sometimes, but no matter what, I still expect to live a long and healthy adult life, and I recognize that I am quickly growing out of childhood.

Still worried? I am working towards living in the present over worrying about my future, but it is not easy. Even though I already have my path laid out, I still struggle biding my time until I can apply. The Go College website suggests that juniors with this dilemma assure themselves with thoughts of Early Action or Early Decision for college.

According to the College Board, Early Action participants receive admission news in January or February, and only have to consider the acceptance offer. Early Decision participants receive admission news around December, and must attend that college; one can only reject Early Decision if he or she disagrees with the offered financial plan.

One will have extra time after Early Action or Early Decision to resolve finances and prepare for a campus future. As long as worrywarts such as myself can handle deadlines (duh) and have researched colleges extensively (duh) to determine the best suited college for them, Early Action and Early Decision will reap the benefits.

My family trusts that I know what I am doing, and that I will keep up the effort I put into all aspects of my life. Until they hit me with the serious questions, I am going to see a midnight movie premiere on a school night, buy that record from the store or work on my novel instead of my homework. I have done everything that I deem necessary; life should take care of the rest.