There is no way to mask the unfortunate truth: college applications are a burden. Do the admissions officers actually need so much information about you to make a decision?
For me, the application process is finished (at least until grad school), so perhaps I should not whine about it. That said, yes, it is a difficult task to undertake. It would be convenient if you only needed to send in a transcript and test scores to apply, but other information like extracurricular activities and essays can only enhance your application. Working to complete an application can be irritating, but it is probably worth it.

One great idea for writing college essays is to start during summer. Unfortunately I must admit that my parents had this idea last summer. I delayed before going to France, but promised to write when I returned. However, when I returned I managed to avoid it. My problem was lack of motivation; I was more interested in relaxing than writing my applications. Suddenly, summer was over and I found myself back in school. School stole what used to be my free time and I still had my applications to write. I regret my procrastination over the summer. During all that time I could easily have set aside a small amount of time to at least draft my essays.

As the school year progressed, I didn’t pick up the pace either. Each application I sent in was barely before the due date. The night before I scrambled to type up the stack of papers I needed to send. The worst incidence was probably my extreme procrastination over winter break. I intended to take a ski trip, but I had to finish my applications. I was not about to forsake my skiing so I was up until 5:00 a.m. the morning I left. I finished, but I made the application process a lot more stressful than it needed to be by putting it off until the last minute (and I mean the last minute).

To demonstrate the foolishness of writing an essay the night before it is due, I will disclose the topic that I came up with when I was in this situation: chasing wild turkeys in Texas. My essay was about me chasing after turkeys with a camera. I’m not too sure where my mind was when I was composing this essay, although I can say that the final product was okay and I was accepted at the institution that received it. However, I would not repeat the late night writing of college essays.

The best piece of advice I can offer to incoming seniors is simply not to procrastinate on college applications. You will be hearing loads of information on what topics are good, what topics are bad, what questions to expect, and the like. Even if you have a wonderful topic, it is difficult to compose an entire essay to send it off the next day. Don’t do that to yourself. The earlier you begin, the easier it is to get your applications done.

And once you’re done, you can party.