Applying to college is hard. The first step to managing this long and demanding process is to accept that you're tackling one of the most difficult applications of your life. What you're doing is hard, and it's completely okay to feel intimidated.
Just like the many college students who have already gone through this process, you will find a light at the end of the tunnel and end up where you belong. If you work hard and take care of yourself, you may even end up at a beautiful campus straight out of your dreams, just as I did!
Here are some concrete tips to help you manage your stress and stay well during the college application process:
1. Don't lose sight of what helps you rest.
Don't lose sight of the hobbies and interests that have helped you rest in the past. As a high school junior or senior, this likely isn't your first encounter with stress, and applying to college is no different. From experience, writing that 20th draft or rereading the 13th sentence won't make or break your application, and it certainly isn't worth sacrificing your mental health. Set aside time to reset and enjoy life outside of applications and academics; your life shouldn't be on hold during this process. If your friends want to destress with you, even better! When you're less stressed and in a better mood, you'll naturally write about yourself and your experiences in a more impressive and positive light. Please, rest!
2. Time-block your writing.
I recommend time-blocking your essay writing. Unless you're in the fabled "flow-state" and can write for hours, it's better to work in short bursts with brief breaks. Staring at an empty document without ideas is stressful. As someone who has written countless essays, I've learned that you can't force yourself to write. This was a major source of stress for me, as I could only produce essays I was proud of at unpredictable times. Try writing for about 20 minutes, and if nothing comes, do something else. Continuously spending time on what you love can also help you brainstorm and get reinspired. Admission officers love to read about what excites you, and if you don't prioritize your well-being, that energy can't be felt in your writing.
3. Declutter your digital space.
It might not seem related, but digital clutter always made me more stressed when writing essays. Find a system that works for you and stick to it. I used a master Google Drive folder with subfolders for each school. My drafts were labeled "SchoolName_EssayType_VersionNumber," and I would duplicate the document with each new version to avoid searching through version history. I also used a Google Sheet to track my essay completion and deadlines. Do whatever keeps your brain happy and decluttered!
For me, my senior year of high school was actually the most involved I’d been in my school community and with my friend group — even during the busiest first semester! I hope this reassures you that life doesn’t have to be on pause during college applications.
-Dorothy, Sid Rich ‘29 (Published on 10/07/2025)
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