Senior year is a rollercoaster of emotions–nostalgia, sentimentality, jubilation, sadness, and anxiousness–as students prepare to leave behind the familiarity of high school and step into a new stage in their lives. Between final memories with friends, celebrating accomplishments, and anticipating major life changes, emotions often feel overwhelming. For many, the epitome of that stress comes from the college application season, when deadlines and decisions about the future begin to feel a lot more real. Although the process can be intimidating, learning healthy ways to manage stress during application season can help rising seniors maintain balance and enjoy the final year of high school without being consumed by anxiety. The class of 2026 definitely felt firsthand the anxiety and stress that comes with the college applications process, so what better way to understand it than by consulting the people who have lived through the experience themselves this past fall? Most individuals rated their stress levels at a six or seven out of ten. Main stressors included balancing out school work with college apps, especially since regular decision schools were sent first semester grades. Furthermore, individuals usually take on harder classes in senior year, so whether it be taking one or five AP classes, maintaining workload along with the added stress of college apps multiplied the pressure tenfold. In general, the stress manifests through not knowing where you’ll get accepted. Students put in their best effort and showcase themselves openly, without any idea or control once they click the green submit button on Common App, a site where most college applications are submitted. However, compared to the previous three years of high school, seniors note that the stress wasn’t significantly worse or better. The bulk of the stress ends around January, maybe even earlier for those who get in their early decision schools. Since all of your peers are going through the same process, there’s a sense of comfort that you’re not alone. That being said, it also greatly depends on your courses and extracurriculars. Things will be very different for somebody taking all AP classes and actively participating in clubs versus someone who is taking what courses are necessary to graduate. Overall, the highs and lows of senior year balance out the stress levels, but it definitely feels intimidating in the summer leading up to your senior year! Mitigating stress during such an intense time is crucial for physical and mental health. In addition to advice from upperclassmen, our school has many support systems in place for students, especially for seniors! Our amazing counseling department has resources for seniors throughout the first semester. Every Friday in the fall the counseling center holds drop-in hours with seniors, where you can ask any and all questions regarding essays, applications, and other college related queries. There are essay workshops in junior year for those who are preparing to finish their main essays in the summer, and the counselor department has many touch points throughout the second semester of junior year to ensure things like letters of recommendations are ready to go. A little planning goes a long way– sitting down with your counselor and planning out soft deadlines to make sure the work doesn’t pile up in the week before something is due. Especially for something like college applications, ensuring you have a little leeway before a due date can allow for a second sweep over an essay. Use the time off from school holidays and weekends to work, and utilize those time management skills you’ve honed over the past three years to submit something you’re confident about. So how did our seniors manage it? Starting the application process in the summer, which offset the pressure of finishing their common app essays while balancing tests and homework from school. Making a concerted effort to be organized, efficient, and aware of timelines also prevented procrastination or deadlines from sneaking up. Making time for self-care and relaxation was also very important. Hanging out with friends and spending time with family can help a lot if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Taking small breaks, like using free periods to get a quick snack or refreshing drink with friends or setting aside an hour every week for something they enjoy, like a sport or craft, went a long way in managing stress healthily.
Friends and family are often the biggest supporters during the application process as well! Older siblings gave advice on which colleges to apply to, pulled students out of writing slumps while writing supplementals, and lifted the mood during the whole process. There’s a popular saying that goes, “shared pain is lessened”, which is certainly the case with the college applications experience. Friends are a big source of support, knowing that you’re not alone in the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with applying to college. Now for the section all fellow rising seniors have been waiting for, what advice do our counselors and graduating seniors have for incoming seniors? “Make sure you are applying to colleges that you truly are passionate about going to, not just colleges that ‘seem the best.’ AND don’t underestimate yourself!” – Vani Mittal ‘26. “Rejections are not a personal attack, nor an assessment of you as sub par. No matter how ‘holistic’ admissions are claimed to be, they can often be anything but, largely coming down to arbitrary decisions or vibes. Furthermore, rejection is a normal part of admissions, with seniors being heavily encouraged to apply to schools that are ‘reaches.’ Please don’t think of yourself as lesser because of something as stupid as being rejected from a college.” – Lukas Kanics ‘26. “Finish all your essays over summer or at least try to make a good plan to ensure you’re able to show the admissions officers your best self. But to always remember to be kind to yourself and not getting into your top choice will not ruin your life. :)” – Gahyun Lee ‘26. “Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone’s admissions path is different, and be gracious when you’re talking about colleges to your peers. Your reach may be another’s safety and vice versa. Always remember that there are people around you who want to support you!” – Ms. Rosenman At the end of the day, the college application process can definitely feel stressful, but you’re not going through it alone. With support from friends, family, counselors, and classmates, the pressure becomes much more manageable. Senior year goes by quickly, so while applications are important, don’t forget to enjoy the memories and experiences that make the year so special!
