Anxiety can cause anyone to make otherwise irrational decisions. “People are constantly spoiling a project when it lacks only a step to completion”, declared Lao-Tzu in the 6th Century BC. Lao-Tzu’s observation might give today’s college applicants some perspective about why they’re wanting to impetuously click the “submit” button in the days before the application deadlines. One mouse click can seemingly relieve the stress of balancing the work of college applications alongside homework, as well as the pressure of concisely and precisely explaining their lives in college essays. At the same time, that one mouse click can possibly undermine these same efforts, as the essay is not quite clear yet, or a typo changes the applicant’s name from Joan to Juan. No one wants these mistakes to be included in their college application, yet we’re human, subject to human emotions, and the temptation to be rid of anxiety can loom large.
In essence, the process of applying to college is testing the confidence of applicants. Trust in being qualified for admissions to college is taxed, when the nervous anticipation of “Will I or won’t I be accepted?” thoughts continually surface. Concerns about being able to write the perfect college essay can complicate the college application process, so that choosing each word can feel like a monumental task. In the middle of these worries, then someone bounds into class on a Monday, proudly (maybe pridefully) announcing s/he submitted EVERYTHING over the weekend. Now, the comparing mind kicks into high gear, producing a hailstorm of thoughts centered around “What’s the matter with me, that I haven’t submitted, yet?!?” further challenging an applicant’s confidence. While applicants often expect college applications to require some effort, rarely do those expectations include having to confront confidence (or lack thereof).
Take a deep breath. Then, consider the following: for one, think through the level of quality you expect from your application in order to be as competitive for college as possible, which may be cause for taking longer to complete an application. Two, the importance of the specific college where you’re applying may warrant extra effort, given you REALLY want to go to that college. What’s wrong with taking time to earn what you most want? Capitulating to comparisons with others or anxieties by hurrying to submit an application, without asking more questions or taking a moment to reflect, can undercut the ultimate goal of a college acceptance. Take your time to finish college essays and applications to YOUR satisfaction, after all its your life. In the long run, its more advantageous to be confident in the final results, than submit the application out of impatience, and not be accepted to a college of your choice – only left to wonder, “What if, I had taken more time?”
