College applications start...NOW!
Contrary to popular belief, college applications don’t take place your senior year. The stress soaked process that happens during the senior year is actually an exercise in collection and reflection of things you have already done. Early applications sometimes date September-November so you really aren’t even capturing your senior activities in the initial process.
In fact, you start building your application (or portfolio as I like to call it) beginning your freshman year of high school. Just like any project that is overwhelming, it will be easier if you break it down into incremental steps over a longer period of time. In this case, your reward is twofold. You will be able to process your application much more seamlessly when the time comes, but you will also know so much more about yourself and where you want to go in the world. When you sit down as a senior, you are simply capturing your story. If you’re smart, it will be a story of achievement as well as personal growth and development.
Applications have several areas they will ask you to reflect on and capture details of your experience. The obvious area to make sure you have buttoned down is academics. But there are other areas admissions offices are looking for-even more so-since the shift away from standardized test scores.When I work with students, I have “buckets” I want them to consider filling. Leadership, clubs and organizations, community engagement, work experiences, and extra curricular are some of the options. I challenge them to consider buckets or activities out of their comfort zones. What are you passionate about? If not passionate yet, what are you curious about? Which activities can show who you are at your core to a college? What is your authentic self? What actions can demonstrate that? If you have a vision of who you want to be-what can you engage in that will help you grow into that person?
So, be intentional boys and girls-about where you are spending your time. Paying attention to that is paying attention to your personal growth. Trust me, it will be well worth it.
Need help? Here are a few steps to guide you:
Be intentional about what you choose to involve yourself in. Some activities will come very natural to you. If you grew up playing club soccer, then there will not be much effort in continuing to strap on your cleats. Others will take some brainstorming and reflection to get to. Check out club fairs and activities available to you and pick a variety that will allow new experiences, highlight your strengths, and explore topics at a deeper level.
Get uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable means you’re growing. In that growth is really important learning-and possibly a college essay topic. ;)
Stay organized. Keep your activities and accomplishments documented as you go. There is nothing worse than watching a client strain their brain to remember the volunteer weekend they had four years earlier.
Talk through your options with your support people. Often others see our strengths and curiosity better than we do. They can help you self assess as well as pipe you into activities. You are never alone in this adventure.
Get a coach. They can help you prioritize, push you, and cheer you on!