You might feel like a carnival clown juggling a dozen bowling pins while taking AP Calculus as you prepare to apply to universities.
Unfortunately, keeping up with responsibilities isn’t always easy, even for responsible and organized students.
Most of the tasks you’ve likely had before are somewhat different from how to manage the college application process, like applying to varying courses, contacting the universities for their specific requirements, etc.
The stakes are high, to start. If you are successful, you will believe that the path to your future is paved with gold; yet, if you are unsuccessful, you may think you are on your own to forge your path.
In addition, applying to colleges is typically something you have to do on your own with little supervision or direction.
The following four tips will help you eliminate the chaos of college applications:
1. Segment The Paperwork Into Files
Having a file system in place is essential before the paper starts accumulating since you’ll soon have a lot of it to manage.
If your home filing cabinet doesn’t have enough room for you, you might start by investing in a portable hanging file box or an accordion folder.
Create a file for each institution on your college list, and add every correspondence you have received from them to it. Include the contact details of everyone you spoke with there as well.
Finally, include any critical information you’d like to be able to examine quickly, such as the pros and disadvantages of visits, notes, and other information.
2. Be Ahead Of Others
Your deadliest adversary throughout the college application season is procrastination. If you put off one activity, it will pile up as the due dates for other crucial activities approach.
These are several minor methods to keep ahead, and if you use them consistently, you won’t feel pressed under the thought of how to manage the college application process efficiently.
As your interests change and develop throughout high school, start by keeping at the top of your list of colleges. Ideally, by the time you reach your senior year, you will have some list in motion, even if it is only in your thoughts.
3. Sync Your Calendar Across Devices
These days, this advice almost seems obvious when technology controls a large portion of our lives.
As a best practice, enter any significant events, due dates, and other commitments into an online calendar.
Of course, you’ll still need extra precautions to ensure you use the best calendars across all your devices.
Set alerts to notify you of significant due dates and obligations so you have ample time to prepare.
For instance, to ensure you get it done, it might be prudent to set a notice for both the day before and again for an hour before the SAT registration deadline.
4. Utilize School Resources
The guidance counselor at your school could have valuable contacts or information about the colleges you’re applying to.
Set up a meeting with this individual early in the year before the chaos starts.
Additionally, it gives you time to seek advice from additional sources later, if necessary.
If your guidance counselor isn’t beneficial, look for other reliable people like teachers, coaches, or mentors.
Conclusion
In the end, you are the one making important decisions about your future and are accountable for making those selections feasible.
Parents and guidance counselors can discuss options with you.
But, at last, you must manage all this while maintaining your academic and extracurricular excellence.
You may handle your college application process better using the four simple strategies described above.
