Dear Stressed-Out High School Senior,

As I was walking to my Psychology class the other day, taking in the beautiful New Orleans weather, I was thinking back to what I was doing at exactly this time last year. I was feverishly working to submit my applications on time, anxiously refreshing the “Gibson Portal” to see my Tulane decision result, and constantly comparing myself to my peers who had already been accepted to the schools in which I had applied. I was completely overwhelmed and overcome with an insane amount of stress.

I fell in love with Tulane University from the second I stepped foot on the campus, so I ruled out almost every single other college I had visited, and had my heart set on attending Tulane. I was paralyzed with fear as I pondered the “what ifs.” I remember feeling hopeless and thinking, “this is way too much stress. I’d rather just not go to college.” Does this sound familiar?

My anxiety heightened as the news of college acceptances flooded facebook. I would cry to my friends and parents about what would happen if I did not get into my “dream school.” Of course, my stress also led me to make assumptions about people after hearing that they got into a particular university. I would say things like, “they didn’t even get in the 30s on their ACT” and “I heard they have major connections, and that must be why they got in.” Rumors were everywhere, and I found myself unfairly judging friends and classmates. I remember constantly being asked, not only by my peers, but also by my extended family and friends of my parents, about which school I wanted to attend. When people wanted to know if I had applied “Single Choice Early Action” to Tulane, I had this ridiculous fear that if I did not get in, people would judge me. But, since I cannot keep a secret, I advertised my college of choice to the world, thus creating additional stress for myself.

As if that wasn’t already enough stress, I also experienced feelings of envy and jealousy throughout this process. My friends that heard back from schools before me had suddenly become my “frenemies.” To my best friend, and all the others that I refused to congratulate on their acceptance to Tulane, while I was still anxiously refreshing the portal, congratulations and I’m truly sorry and hope there are no hard feelings :)

If I could redo this whole experience, I most definitely would change my mindset throughout this process. So, here is my advice to you.

First, don’t be so quick to fall in love with a school. The fact is, there are many “just right” schools, so keep an open mind. Second, stop stressing about the “what ifs.” Senior year is a great time to celebrate your accomplishments, so don’t miss out by focusing on the negatives. Trust me, things work out for a reason. Third, stop constantly comparing yourself to other people. Everyone is different and there is much more to college acceptances than just numbers. Finally, don’t be jealous. I wish I could have been more legitimately excited for my friends’ successes.

So, from a former high school senior to a current one, try your absolute best to avoid feeling this way. Everyone will end up somewhere, and regardless of whether or not it is your “dream school,” I can almost guarantee that you will end up at the right place for you. Make this an individual experience, and an enjoyable one for that matter. Be proud of your friends, as they have worked just as hard as you. Who cares that the person who sits next to you in English got into your top choice school before you, or if your camp friend got into their reach school because of “insane connections,” or if your best friend was “under qualified” for the school she has chosen to attend. That’s life. You are a senior. Enjoy every moment and don’t wish this process away. Instead, focus on the positives and all the great things to come. Most importantly, don’t stress out. Good luck :)