As the fall semester comes to an end, those on campus since MACES first opened have finally become seniors and are now in the pursuit of higher education.
“The stress is real. You’re constantly questioning if you’re good enough and if your achievements measure up to the ones of others. It’s like a cloud hanging over your head,” Marithza Garcia, a senior, said.
The tension that comes along with college applications is something every student feels at some point in their application process, it’s usually characterized by sleepless nights, hasty decision-making, and the consistent creeping fear of rejection. As Emelia Hernandez, senior, puts it, “You’re not just applying; you’re putting yourself on display, and that kind of vulnerability is nerve-wracking,”
Time adds to the stress, as senior college applicants find their way around a complex path of essays, tests, quizzes, finals, recommendation letters, and extracurricular activities, all while the clock is ticking. “Every day feels like a race against time. Balancing school, applications, and social life is a constant struggle,” Reynaldo Rodriguez, who’s handling all the different demands of being a senior, said.
Despite there being an immense amount of limitations and setbacks, the college application process also presents an opportunity for personal growth. While seniors learn how to combat challenges and push against the boundaries of their capabilities, they’re able to develop resilience, time management skills, and the ability to succeed under pressure.
“It’s like a crash course in life. You learn to handle rejection, manage your time like never before, and discover new strengths you didn’t even know you had,” Hernandez said, reflecting on the demanding journey she has gone through.
The demands of college applications are highly intimidating and these demands tend to overlook the journey to higher education for applicants. However, beyond the challenges that students are facing, there lies the possibility to grow personally and strengthen character.
Students emerge not only as applicants but also as individuals equipped with a newfound courage to face even greater challenges while exploring and steering through a complicated path of cutoff times and expectations.
Yet, the journey between the difficulties of the college application process is a renewing one, as exhausting as it may be for these students, it serves as a gateway for a successful academic future, displayed through the voices of the students who explore it.
