Feeling overwhelmed by school, college applications, and the scholarship hunt all at once? You’re not alone, and it’s manageable. This guide covers a few ways to ease the stress that comes with applying to college. Let’s get into it.
Where the stress comes from
High school throws a lot at you at once: classes, the pressure to stand out, scholarships, and college applications. The stress usually comes from juggling all of it together, doing well academically while making your mark in activities and keeping up with application deadlines.
The good news: it’s manageable with the right habits. I got through it, and you can too, with solid time management, organization, and self-care.
Time management
There are more hours in the day than it feels like. The real challenge is how you use them, and good time management is your best defense against stress.
It comes down to planning and prioritizing. Sort your tasks into three buckets: urgent ones that need attention now (an assignment due tomorrow, an application form), regular ones that matter but aren’t urgent, and low-priority ones you can do whenever. Then lay them out in a planner, an app, or just paper, and map out your day, week, and month with enough time for each.
I use Notion Calendar (formerly Cron), which syncs with Google Calendar and connects to Notion. It works well.
Time management feels awkward at first, but you find your rhythm with practice.
Organization
A methodical approach to applications takes a lot of the stress out. Start with research: look into the colleges and programs that interest you, then put your top choices in a list. Don’t stop at the names, though.
Note each college’s application deadlines, since missing one can cost you the opportunity. List what each school requires too: transcripts, recommendation letters, essays. Compiling all of it ahead of time means no last-minute scramble for documents.
Watch for extras as well. Some colleges want interviews or specific supplemental essays, and each one is a little different. A detailed checklist keeps you from missing anything.
Self-care
In the rush of high school and applications, it’s easy to neglect yourself, but you can’t run on empty. Self-care is a real part of handling stress, not an afterthought.
Make time for things that recharge you, whether that’s reading for fun, a walk, or a hobby. And don’t skip sleep. Quality matters as much as quantity. I made a point of getting 8-9 hours, even over cramming for tests, trusting that I’d do better rested than exhausted.
Nutrition matters too. Decent food gives you the energy to get through a demanding schedule, so aim for a reasonably balanced diet instead of running on junk.
Self-care isn’t indulgence. It’s what keeps you going through a tough stretch, so build it into your routine.
The bottom line
Good luck. Subscribe to the newsletter for more advice.
– Rishab Jain
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