Applying to college can be tough. It’s competitive, you’ve got lots of work to do, and you still need to ace all your exams to make the effort worthwhile. Don’t panic, though! The following advice will help you stay on top of your to-do list and give you the best chance of successfully making it through college application season. Let’s get started!

Up your organization skills

Being well-organized will make it much easier to navigate the process of applying to college. Make sure you’ve noted down all the key deadlines, interview periods, and test dates, then figure out what you need to do in advance of them. The earlier you start, the better, because you’ll have more time to plan and get everything done. As a bonus, the organizational skills you develop are sure to come in useful when you’re at college too!

Do your research thoroughly

All colleges and all degree programs are unique, so you need to make sure that you investigate each one you’re interested in carefully to find the best fit. That means checking the specific modules on the curriculums, going to www.campusreel.org to confirm the entry requirements and your chances of getting accepted, and also looking at the overall culture of the campus. Don’t just copy what your friends are doing – choose the college and program that best suits you personally.

Take your time with your personal essay

For most programs, your personal essay is the most important part of the application – so give it the appropriate time and effort. Plan out what you want to say, make sure that you highlight all your strengths and achievements. If it’s a statement on why you want to apply, and if it’s an essay question, make sure you answer it fully. Double-check the word count requirements, and proofread it carefully before submitting. It can be helpful to ask a friend, family member, or teacher to have a look too.

Study hard in high school

College applications are about more than just the applications themselves! You also need to continue studying hard throughout your time at high school. This will help you to keep your GPA up, get impressive scores on your SATs and other standardized tests, plus impress the admissions team if you’re called for an interview. If you struggle to get motivated, find a study buddy to work with so you can keep each other on track. It’s also a good idea to actively test yourself on what you’re learning (not just re-read your textbooks) so that you can identify and work on your weak areas.

Make time for self-care

College applications can take up a huge chunk of your time and energy, so it’s crucial you don’t allow yourself to get burnt out. It’s extremely important to set aside dedicated time for self-care, whether that’s meeting up with friends on the weekend, doing sports and other extracurriculars, or engaging in a creative hobby that you love. Even simple actions like curling up with a good book or going for a walk out in nature can be truly beneficial, so don’t overlook them.