7 Organizational Tips to Make the College Application Process Easier

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(Newswire.net — January 24, 2022) –With taxes, voting, and expenses looming on the horizon, adulting is nothing short of exhausting. The biggest stressor of all, however, is often college applications. Colleges are constantly providing information and it becomes difficult to keep track of the many good options. Here are some organizational tips to make the college application process a bit easier.

1. Decide Which Characteristics Are Most Important

Of course, the college application process is easiest if the list of necessary applications stays short. In order to keep that list of potential schools from growing too long, decide which traits are the most important in a school and rule out the universities that fail to meet those standards.

2. Make a List

This seems obvious, but with the many steps involved in college application, it is easy to lose track of what has been completed and what must still be done. Write down a to-do list and add to it as needed so nothing gets forgotten.

3. Do it All in One Place

With an industry as overrun as higher education, there are many companies ready to provide resources for students. Websites like the Common App partner with colleges to make the application process more streamlined. Before applying on a university website, check if the university uses Common App or other third-party assistance.

4. Save Application Essays to Reuse

Admissions teams try to be original, but they often repeat questions or ask for responses that are similar to other colleges. Save all admissions essays in one place and check what you have written to see if you can re-use a previous essay for a new question. Sometimes all it may take is a bit of tweaking.

5. Keep a Separate Window Open

Stress can multiply with clutter, and computer clutter is no exception. Keep a separate window open and only open tabs related to college applications on that window. By separating college applications from other online research, you can have everything in one place and avoid unnecessary stress.

6. Keep Track of Deadlines

All the work in the world doesn’t do much good once a deadline has been missed. Make sure to write down important deadlines in a visible place, whether that is a calendar, planner, or notebook. If you plan to apply to Simpson University, for example, find the application deadline on their website and make note of it.

7. Plan Ahead

Reading articles like this is a sure sign that you are doing well at this step already. Once you know the due dates for applications, plan time to complete applications and allow buffer time in case of unexpected interference such as emergencies and overwhelming schoolwork. By providing ample time to prepare for any deadlines, you can do a more thorough job and avoid the disorganized mess that comes with rushing.

College is the next step in the journey of life, and it can be a wonderful experience. Stay organized so you can begin this journey of life in the best way.