It’s that time of the year, we know it well.  The time when students are busy typing essays, getting rec letters and planning last minute college visits. It’s a turning point for seniors across America. The transition from high school student to university student, and it’s not at all easy.

The fantasy of attending your dream school either comes to reality or you’re stuck with the idealistic idea. Before that happens you must get through the process of actually applying to colleges. And before that, some students still need to  pick out the colleges they want to apply to. It all starts with a dream, but it entails with the stress of applying for that dream.

The nationwide base of applying for is the Common Application (Common App). Seniors across the board at Solon High School (SHS) have already sat down and started filling the Common App out.

“I started filling out the basics for the Common App during summer break and I’m still nowhere near finished with answering the never ending questions,” Senior Anthony Isom said.

Thus, the long process of completing the applications interferes with students’ daily lives.

“I’m a student athlete involved with lacrosse, I work out three times a week and I also participate in the marching band that rehearses weekly,” Senior Skyla Caito said. “As for that, I feel like there isn’t enough time to solely work and perfect my Common App due to all of the homework assigned to me each night.”

The aspect of simply living your daily life interferes with the Common App. It causes time management issues and makes you question which aspect of your life is more important right now.

Outside pressures seem to have an effect on stress for students applying for college as well.

“[Personal situations can be outside pressures] not only attending SHS where you’re expected to reach the expectation but also living in the Solon community,” Isom said. “I have parents that stay on top of me about my grades and coursework and want to lead me in a specific direction for college.”

The stress produced from filling out the Common App and applying for college doesn’t just come from the long essays and detailed answers to questions or even the process for scholarships and financial aid. Stress comes from the student life.The consistent pressure from teachers, peers and parents to be an honor student and get into top colleges across America deeply affects students as well.

Ann Trocchio explained that college application time is the most stressful time for senior students. Trocchio said that being a student at SHS specifically raises the levels of stress because it’s one of the top schools in the United States.

Stress caused by this process is something that the majority of seniors encounter. No matter where you’re applying or who you are, college applications will take a lot of effort from you. College applications take lot of time, effort, and consistency but when it’s all said and done and the letter of acceptance arrives at your doorstep you know you have reached the collegiate way of finesse.