The college application process can be incredibly stressful. From campus tours to letters of recommendation to essays, you have a lot to keep track of. With so much to do, it’s hard to know where or when to start!

If you are also anxious about the return of an in-person academic life, here are a few tips and tricks I curated during my first contact with going to college in-person.

Although starting college is exciting, many college freshmen can find themselves falling into pitfalls. Some of these may not have huge consequences, but others can affect your health, grades, and even future image. 

How do you even begin narrowing down the nearly 5,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. to a handful of schools that you could see yourself belonging at? With so many different types of schools to choose from, it can be a daunting process. 

Going into school my first year, I was so sure I knew what I wanted to do with my life. But their range of programs inspired me to explore more, and I found myself in a completely different direction than I had imagined—and I couldn’t be happier. ⁠⁠

I chose Cal State San Marcos because it was a small, up-and-coming school at the time when I applied. I saw potential in the school and an opportunity to leave my mark.

I decided in 6th grade I wanted to go to Jessup after I finished the AWANA program at my church and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a small list of Christian colleges, one being Jessup.

I am lucky and privileged to be at Colgate, for being academically challenged, for being given a roof above my head and adequate food when COVID-19 broke out and I couldn’t come home, and for the community that I doubt I can find anywhere else.

WSU pushed me in the best way to step out of my comfort zone academically and personally. I’ve grown so much with only two years of being a part of this campus and it’s with the help of my beautiful friends and caring professors.

They are so supportive and give every student so much attention and support which is amazing and not something you get at a lot of large universities.