Now is that time of year—that grueling, anxiety-inducing point in the season. The leaves turn all shades of red and orange, and there seems to be a chill that settles over the students. Weekends are spent furiously typing away as seniors feel pressured to meet deadlines for the dreaded college applications. What makes this a tall task? Why are there so many negative emotions associated with the college application process? What are the emotional implications of applying to colleges and getting accepted or rejected?

Abril Rodriguez Calle is currently a senior at Morris Knolls and is going through this process. She shared her opinion and explained, “The college application process is bittersweet.” She reported that seniors often “feel so emotional applying to colleges and getting accepted/rejected because it’s essentially deciding how the rest of your future will go.” For seniors like Abril, applying to each college can range from 5 to 20 hours. Each intricate detail and response must be thoroughly crafted to showcase a student’s potential and current abilities. It nearly takes the same effort as completing an extra course and must be done along with other homework or activities. However, the time and dedication are worth it, as current Morris Knolls seniors are on the road toward new opportunities and connections. The exposure to new environments and new people may be intimidating, but the promise of self-improvement encourages our students to keep their eye on the prize as they sort through the pros and cons of countless universities.

Part of what makes college applications so daunting is the possibilities that follow: admission or rejection. Students spend countless years in high school preparing for crucial aspects of their resume. The SAT, ACT, extracurriculars, grades, and course levels all factor into decision-making on the part of the college admissions committee. Many students pack their schedules to give themselves the best chance for success and the best odds of being admitted into their dream schools. Within this truth lies an even greater question: Where do we draw the line? How many activities are enough? How many hours of studying are too many? Every student has their limit, their breaking point where their genuine enjoyment for school or activities is taken over by stress. Every student can handle a different workload, but over time, motivation wears off and discipline is harder to maintain.

College applications may loom over everyone’s heads as this treacherous time of year comes closer and closer. Students spend so much time in the left lane on the freeway, trying to go over their limit, that they occasionally forget to take an exit, make a left on a side street, and put themselves in park. As the year progresses, it is important to rest and enjoy what Morris Knolls has to offer.