By Kyle Arechiga

As college application season descends upon Granada Hills Charter (GHC), the quiet college office is suddenly confronted with a whirlwind of activity and anxiety. High school seniors are swamped by essays, deadlines, and life-altering decisions, and the air buzzes with the hum of frantic conversation and questions, rapid typing on keyboards, and sighs of exasperation. 

For seniors, college application season can be one of the most stressful parts of the year.  The pressure to meet deadlines, write flawless personal essays, and sign up for various apps can be challenging. However, with the right approach, the stress of applying to college can become much more manageable. Here are some tips and tricks for surviving college app season. 

Make full use of the online resources available to you. Websites like the College Essay Guy in particular have step-by-step guides for writing personal statements, supplemental essays, and Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) along with tips for brainstorming and structuring your essays. Lessons and samples from this site are often used by teachers to teach their seniors how to write a proper college essay. Additionally, it is popular with students who want to get a head start.

To write a strong college essay, focus on telling your story authentically. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so yours must stand out by being personal and reflective. Choose experiences that genuinely shaped you, and remember that your story does not need to have a happy ending or solution. You should also read your essay out loud so you can identify awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and vague ideas more easily. Additionally, reading your essay out loud will ensure it accurately captures your voice and personality. 

“Take it from someone who’s done it,” Natalie Sarkisyan, Class of 2024, said. “The application process itself takes 15  minutes at most. It’s the personal questions and essays that make the whole thing terrifying. If I could go back and redo anything, I would have just drafted it a little at a time in my notes app over the course of a couple weeks beforehand.”

While applying for colleges does not have to be difficult, it does need to be taken seriously. For those who want to attend college, that choice will be with you for the rest of your life. What you put on your applications will ultimately determine the kinds of schools you get accepted into. If you leave everything to the last minute, your applications will reflect that. 

“Don’t take the process lightly,” Katie Bernardo, Class of 2023, said. “Make sure that you leave yourself enough time so that you’re not stressed at the last minute.” 

In the end, although college application season can feel overwhelming, it is important to remember that preparation and time management can make all the difference. By using your resources, breaking tasks down into manageable pieces, and staying authentic, the process can become less daunting. After all, this is just the first step in an exciting journey toward your future. Stay focused, and that will set you on the path to success, one application at a time.