5 tips for stress management while applying to college

5 tips for stress management while applying to college 5 tips  from an Irvine college admissions consultant for stress management while applying to college Its very stressful applying to college in the first place but, when added to all of the other responsibilities a high school senior has, it can become overwhelming. Stress management is one of the most important tools young students can use to thrive through this challenging yet important time in their academic careers. Whether students are working on time management or a specific strategy to get into their dream college, there are several things both students and parents can do to make life easier our private Irvine college admissions consultants have a 97% success rate. 1. Get on the same page One really important thing for students and parents to do is to sit down and get on the same page in regards to the college application process. In many instances, students and parents have different ideas of when things should get done, how many schools they should apply to, or other important details regarding admissions. If possible, students and parents should sit down before they even start the process but, at this point in the year, its good just to have a chat about what still needs to be completed and within what timeframe. 2.   Prioritize applications by due dates At this point in the process, its also important for students to prioritize their applications by the due date. Most schools have a due date of December 1, but some will allow students to apply as late as January or even offer a rolling deadline. Parents can also help students stay on track by setting aside some time for them at the weekend where they can concentrate 100% on the college admissions process (READ: 4 Differences Between High School and College English Courses). 3.   Set aside a particular time during the week just for college applications Once a student sits down for their specified application time, its important that they start out by getting organized. Is there anything thats due within the next week? Anything they need to send to their college counselor? Any important revisions they need to make? After a student is completely organized, they can start working on their personal statements as well as their supplemental essays for each university. If students are using the Common Application, they will be able to write one main essay but may need to answer several supplemental questions that describe who they are as a student and person. Providing a separate time for these tasks allows students to focus totally on their applications and deal with other homework assignments later on. 4. Work with a college counselor Its imperative that students work with a college counselor at some point during the application process. Whether they work with the counselor at their school or with an independent consultant, these professionals have important up-to-date information that students may find difficult to locate and process on their own. Counselors can help students choose different types of colleges to apply to, help them fill out their various forms, and give them essential feedback on their personal statement. 5.   Have a backup plan (or two) Its also a good idea for students to have a backup plan. If a student has their heart set on just one particular university, parents can provide helpful suggestions for similar universities they can apply to â€" just in case. For the most part, students choose one or two dream schools that make up their primary plan, but they should have target schools, safety schools, and other options in the works so that they have the best chance of going to a great university after graduation, even if it wasn’t their first choice.