(November 15, 2012) — If you’re anything like me, and I hope for your sake that you’re not, then thoughts about your future are unconditionally frightening. Along with many other seniors, brooding over college apps is a common disposition, particularly with different deadlines quickly approaching such as SATs/ACTs, applications for UCs and CSUs, early action/decisions, teacher and counselor recommendations, countless supplements—all that good stuff! College is an immense stepping stone into the real world—or at least the beginning of one’s adulthood—and as a senior in the middle of all of the application madness, with what seems like an endless number of things to do, one often wishes that he or she had started tackling these problems earlier on. A year ago when relatives would constantly ask, “So… do you know what schools you want to attend yet?” at nearly each family gathering, I would say how as a junior I still had plenty of time to think about it, and then the topic would escape my mind; it wasn’t until the second semester that I actually started taking the question into consideration. Juniors, it may seem a bit early to start thinking about college or what you’re planning on doing once high school is over and done with, but reflecting on the matter every now and then throughout your next few months can reduce the pressure you’ll have next year if you choose to apply for college. It’s beneficial to develop at least a generic idea as to what schools you may want to attend. If confused, simply consider your interests, what location(s) seem(s) appealing, student population, programs, etc. Having a list of deal-breakers and deal-makers in a school may also be helpful in narrowing down what schools would better tickle your fancy. There is no watered down, simplified or “easy” way to get through the process of applying to a school; everybody who does so, whether to a private or public, goes through some variation of the application necessities, though, there are ways to help alleviate the amount of pressure that comes in the fall season of senior year.