How to Stay Organized During College Application Season

Applying to college is an overwhelming feat. With essays, recommendation letters, test scores and deadlines all quickly piling up, it can be difficult to stay organized. The key to staying sane during this daunting process is keeping organized from the start. Below are some simple but useful strategies to do just that.

1. Create a Master Checklist

Start by generating a spreadsheet and opening a tab for each college you're applying to. In each tab, have your first column list everything you need to complete for that college. This might include tasks such as:

• Essays

• Recommendation letters

• Transcripts

• Test scores

• Financial aid

The column to the right of that should contain checkboxes so you're able to track your progress easily. Make sure to keep track of deadlines on this spreadsheet too, in that way, you will be able to prioritize which colleges to tackle first.

2. Set Mini Deadlines and Reminders

Your go-to calendar app is your new best friend. Analyze your master checklist to see which deadlines are coming up first. Then, set a deadline every few days for each task or college. Make sure to set up reminders before your deadlines so you don't forget.

3. Keep Your Documents in One Place

Create a dedicated folder on your computer or google drive for all your college application resources. It will be helpful to create subfolders for each college or university you're applying to. In here, you'll be able to store essays, transcripts, and recommendation letters, with easy access to it all.

Staying organized during college application season is essential in mitigating stress. By using these strategies, organization will come easily and seniors will be able to focus on making the best of their last high school year.

Source:

https://www.nimble.com/blog/top-ten-organizational-tools/