Essays, Common App, deadlines, tests, projects, transcripts, SAT/ACT, letters of recommendation, financial aid… if you’re a senior you can relate to the overwhelming and never-ending pile of things, things, and more things that must be completed in the next few months, then you must know how easy it is to procrastinate and stress over everything, but I encourage you to try and make the most of the experience.

In order to get through these next few trying months, here are ways to debrief and enjoy every step of the prep-for-college process no matter how stressful and exhausting:

• Get a calendar that you can put all of the important dates on so you are never shocked when a deadline is there before you approach it.
• Every Sunday make a list of the things that you have to get done in the coming week. This way you always have something productive to do.
• When feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath and feel lucky that you have such a fabulous opportunity to further your education.
• If you are not sure what to do, go to your counselor. Your counselor is there to help you- take advantage of them!
• There is a lot to do and though it may seem like you don’t have enough time, try to plan something fun to do with your friends that allows you to let go of all the stress and have fun! Go out and support Bobcat athletics!
• Though you have college on your mind, make sure you don’t neglect your schoolwork this year. You still have to keep up your grades and do your assignments. Now is not the time to let senioritis get the best of you.
• When you feel like everyone has lied about senior year being fun, think about all of the things there is in the future: spirit week with crowns, homecoming, powderpuff, college acceptance letters, prom, the senior trip, and of course GRADUATION.

This is a very trying time, but with each try comes a triumph. Remember, though you’re actually documenting what you have done in the past four years, you have already done all of the work in those four years; you have helped yourself along the way and now you get to relish in your accomplishments. Take a deep breath and know that you have everything under control.