Planning for college can feel like juggling flaming torches while walking a tightrope, but panicking never helped anyone get into their dream school. It doesn’t have to be a panic. College is the place where you are aiming to kickstart your career.
And with a few smart steps and a dash of chill out, you can tackle the whole process without losing your mind or your GPA. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or just wondering if applying to college will always be so hard, here are 5 stress-free tips to help when planning for college.
1. Start early, but don’t obsess.
You need to map out your idea for college, but you don’t need to map out your entire academic destiny when you’re only in 8th grade. Starting to think about what interests you and exploring those options by freshman or sophomore year can save you from scrambling later. That means choosing classes you enjoy, that challenge you, join the clubs just to try them, and thinking about what kind of environment you thrive in. Are we going for a big city, a small town, a research school, or a liberal arts haven? This doesn’t have to be a pressured consideration, but just a curiosity. You’re not committing to anything, you’re just window shopping for your future.
2. Use good resources.
The Internet is a glorious and terrifying place, but there are plenty of helpful resources, such as College Confidential. This is a goldmine of information on everything from admissions essays to how not to freak out while waiting for decision letters. You’ll find real talk from students who have been there, expert advice from admissions pros, and forums to ask questions and get feedback.
3. Make a plan, but keep it flexible.
This should be your college road map, not a strict to-do list written in stone. You don’t need to know your major or dream school just yet, you just need a general timeline to get you going. You should also include some buffer time because life happens and Wi-Fi goes out. You might even forget your common app password. Don’t stress about little bumps in the road.
4. Talk to somebody who can support you.
The college process is a big one, emotionally and mentally, so don’t bottle it all up. Talk to your counselor at school, teachers who know you, friends going through it, and even your parents. College planning doesn’t have to be a solo mission, and it’s way less stressful when you don’t carry the whole thing on your own.
5. Don’t allow this to define you.
Yes, college is a big deal, but it’s not the only deal in life. Where you go to school doesn’t define who you are or what you become. So take a breath, go outside, watch a movie, and take a break from college planning. You’re not a resume, you’re not a test score. You are a whole human being, and that’s more than enough.