Senior Advice

By Matthew Bressler

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“Don’t procrastinate.”  We hear it all the time.  The basic advice always given, while completely valid, acts like it provides an easy solution to every school-related problem.  Although it is solid advice, let's face it: students are worried about upcoming big tasks, creating the urge to procrastinate.  EEs and looming college applications, among many other assignments, are intimidating and it’s easier to push them off than to do them.  This article is not a plea to stop procrastinating, but rather a collection of helpful advice from current seniors to make the process not as intimidating, allowing students to not be as worried and therefore attack these tasks sooner.

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College applications are the end result.  They are the result of all the work put in - every sport, club, or extracurricular committed to during high school.  They are a grueling process, from supplemental essays to inputting grades and test scores, and it all starts with the personal statement.  Arguably the most intimidating part, the personal essay is a major piece of the college application. But, if approached the right way, it doesn’t have to be too bad.  The personal statement is how colleges get to know who you truly are.  Dillon Jones states, “The essay doesn’t have to be an eloquent piece of literature - just be true to yourself and say things from the heart.”  This idea also applies to supplemental essays (additional essays for specific colleges), as Joyce Du elaborates, “always remember the real point of the question is to figure out who you are as a person, what your values are, and what your goals are.  If your essay doesn't answer any of the previous stated, you're doing it completely wrong.”  It is much more important to be yourself than to try to be who you think the college wants you to be.  If you can’t be your true self, the college may not be the right fit.  Dhanush Mallavarapu states, “I know it seems a bit early, but make sure you plan and know where you want to apply.  Try using the Common or Coalition App - they make the whole process a lot easier and faster.”  It is recommended to have a balance of safety, target, and reach schools that seem like a good fit - not necessarily all prestigious schools.  Dillon Jones recommends to “value a school that might be a better fit for you versus its ranking.”  Once schools are picked, it can get hectic with all the essays and requirements.  Kate Schnitker says, “I found it very helpful to create a folder in my google drive for college applications.  I was able to keep all of my essays and other information in one place so it was easy to access!”  This is a great way to keep everything organized.  All in all, the college application process, as said by Dhanush Mallavarapu, “seems like a daunting process, but you just have to start it and it'll work itself out.”  

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Another large task occurring at the same time is the Extended Essay.  While not procrastinating is crucial, there is a more important part.  As Dhanush Mallavarapu states, “four thousand words sounds like a lot, but if you choose something you have interest in and care about, you'll really enjoy writing your essay!”  Choosing a topic you are passionate about will make the process much easier, and the urge to procrastinate will decrease.  The EE can be a very complex assignment at times, but there are many resources available to assist.  Kate Schnitker recommends to “reach out to your EE advisor if you have any questions.  They are very helpful and a great resource if you get confused!”  Aside from the advisor, there are many online resources, such as the handbook, as well as EE examples.  The EE is a lengthy process, but if you pace yourself, enjoy the research, and use your resources, it will not be nearly as bad.

Senior year may sound daunting, but with these tips, it can be made less stressful and more manageable, allowing for more time to relax and enjoy the year.