First of all, I would like to congratulate you for making it here. It’s your senior year of high school, and you haven’t gone completely insane. Good start.
I’m making this post as a rising university freshman, recently graduated high school senior in the United States. I know I personally panicked and looked through Tumblr for hours trying to soothe my worries, and if I can help even one scared person out there, then my job is complete.
APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY
Yeah, this is a big one.
First, breathe. I promise everything will be okay.
Apply to as many colleges as you see fit. The number is different for everyone. I applied to 3, my friend applied to 13. Don’t panic if your friends are applying for more than 10 and you’re applying to less than five, and try to not judge them if it’s reversed.
Pay attention to the deadlines. I know it’s obvious, but they can really slip by you. Don’t forget to check if the financial aid deadline is different from the application deadline.
Don’t hate yourself if you don’t get accepted into your top choice. I know I was in this position last year, so I’m going to say it for you if no one else will. If you applied to an Ivy League or the western equivalent, there is a small chance you will get in, but a larger chance you will not. Statistics are against you. Have a Plan B and a Plan C. Dream big, and don’t let anything stop you from pursuing your dream, but don’t let it completely crush you if you don’t manage to be the 4-6% of students across the world making it into one specific university.
Remember that most universities and colleges require financial aid to be done and turned in alongside the standard application!
SCHOLARSHIPS
Oh dear.
If you haven’t started doing scholarships yet, don’t panic.There are plenty of opportunities for scholarships still. There are some with deadlines in May/June!
Even if it’s only $100-$200, apply for it if you think you can. That can buy a book or two or chip away at a meal plan. Everything counts.
With that, don’t overload yourself. Don’t give yourself 9 essays to write in one night unless you can do your best work under that much pressure and stress.
If you have a military parent/guardian, USE IT. I cannot tell you how many scholarships I found for military dependents. This applies to retired military parents/guardians as well. Even if you’re not planning on doing anything remotely to do with the military, they want to help you.
FAFSA. If you can get money from them, great. If not, let me send my condolences, I know that sucks. Keep looking.
ORGANIZATION
Here we go.
You don’t have to be perfect. Seriously. You don’t have to be trendy and tumblr and cute constantly. Sure, it’s nice for the pictures, but if it’s too much time and effort to keep it up and only stresses you out, drop it. I promise it’ll be okay.
Write stuff down wherever you’ll see it. Be it a sticky note on your mirror or in your planner, if you see it, you’ll remember it.
I know I might get some serious backlash for this, but you don’t need a planner. If that’s not how you work, don’t feel like you need to shell out money for one or spend time making one. Do what works for you.
Folders, binders, accordion folders, use whatever you have that’s in good working condition, or if you have the money, treat yourself (or have your parents treat you) to a new way to file things. Use what works for you. I cannot stress that enough!
There is such a thing as over color-coordinating. As pretty as it may be by the end, your brain likely can’t handle that overload. Stick to one or two different colors and it’ll be a lot easier to decipher.
ACTUAL CLASSES
Yikes…
IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO SUFFER IN A COURSE AFTER A MONTH, SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE AND GO DOWN A LEVEL. Trust me, I know it sucks, I really really do, but I took a Calculus course too quick for me, and I suffered so much, as well as lost valedictorian. There’s a difference between challenging yourself and putting yourself through unnecessary stress. It’ll be okay.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Again, it’s time to swallow your pride and get whatever you need to succeed.
Your teachers may be exhausted, but most of them are most than happy to help you if you need it, or if you’re confused on the specifics of an assignment. Use office hours or e-mail them. They’re human too!
Always, ALWAYS study for your tests. Whether it’s AP, IB, Honors, or on-level courses, you can always solidify information more. There’s nothing worse than neglecting to study, being confident as you go into the exam, and then experiencing that heart-stopping, stomach-dropping moment when you have no f*cking clue what the questions are asking.
Not everything is about AP/IB. Sure they’re useful, but never NEVER feel like you’re less of a person or less deserving because you take on-level courses.
SOCIAL
Oh jeez…
In case you haven’t thought about it before, some of your friends are moving away. Spend as much time with them as you can before you leave or they leave. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
With that said, if you have toxic friends, DITCH THEM. You are the number 1 priority in your own life. If you don’t feel happy around your friends, then they’re not good friends. It’s not too late to find great people, I promise. I did it in my second semester of senior year, and they’re some of my favorite people that I’ve ever known to exist. Find friends for life, not friends for now.
It is 100,000% normal and fine to not have had your first kiss, first significant other, or first relationship by this point. I promise you. Don’t let stories of people and their 5 boyfriends/girlfriends make you feel insecure. Don’t feel pressured into doing something you’re not ready for. (Also it makes going off to college a lot less stressful if you don’t feel like you’re supposed to tag along with your s/o or have an obligation to see them.)
Surprise! Not everyone is actually having sex! Even some people that say they are aren’t!
Please, learn to love yourself. You were placed on this earth just how you are. Don’t ever feel like you’re worthless, wrong, disgusting, or unloved. You are worth so much, I promise.
Don’t trash talk your younger counterparts. I know they’re annoying, walking into the school and being loud and acting like they own everything, but they’ll learn. Be patient, and try to not talk bad about them. You’ll be a freshman again next year, and you wouldn’t want seniors to be talking about you like that.
Join a club! It isn’t too late!
RANDOM
Etcetera.
So here’s the thing. College and university costs way more than it should. Save money. I know it’s hard and it sucks and it’s annoying as hell, but you’ll thank yourself later.
Consider getting a journal to document things you do during the year. Paste in movie stubs, concert tickets, pictures, and write a little bit about the experience! Remember to please breathe. You’ll get through it, I swear.
If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed or as if you can’t do it, please seek out someone to talk to. It’s scary and stressful, but it’ll most likely help.
Do things for you. Take a bath. Take a weekend off. Call your best friend. Read a book for fun! Do something that will relax you and make you feel better about your situation.
I promise you can do it. I believe in you, and I hope you believe in yourself.
If I missed anything or you want anything added on or answered, please let me know, and feel free to add on with your own experiences!
xx, Shelby
