As seniors near the end of their high school careers, they’re closing a chapter of their lives and stepping into the world of college applications. The college process is a roller coaster of emotions—excitement, stress, and bittersweet feelings. With different experiences and mixed emotions, each senior has their own unique journey. As acceptance letters begin to roll in, seniors are faced with the reality that their everyday lives are about to change.

“I was super excited, but now I’m super nervous. I hate change, and going away for college means new responsibilities,” said senior Andrew Hernandez. “I already have a lot on my plate, so more work adds a lot of pressure.”

For some, the college process has been a major source of stress this year. Senior Gabe Fernandez shared, “The hardest part of applying for me was probably submitting all of my portfolios. I’m not very confident in my work, so choosing what to submit and creating the extra materials, like short stories and screenplays, made me feel like I wasn’t good enough and added a lot of pressure.”

Not only are students grappling with the pressure of impressing their dream schools, but for many, including myself, the challenges of applying to college have overshadowed the joy of their last year of high school.

Another big aspect of the college process is how seniors feel about leaving home next year. For some, it’s an exciting opportunity for a fresh start. Senior Noa Tozer explained, “I love my friends and family, but I’m really excited to leave the old behind and start fresh.”

Not all seniors feel the same about leaving home.

“I’m more worried about not being able to function without my family or friends. I like being alone, but not so alone that I have no one to talk to or drive to their house,” Andrew said.

While the process has been stressful for all the students, it would have been even more overwhelming without the support of our college counselors.

“[Jody] Rodriguez definitely helped me the most with my applications,” Gabe said. “I know that’s her job, but she deserves so much credit. There was so much extra stuff I didn’t know I had to do, like my portfolios, and she figured all that out when I would’ve had no idea.”

Many students felt the same about the support from their college counselor.

“I felt that applying to college was super laid-back and less stressful thanks to my college counselor. It would’ve been super confusing without her,” Andrew said.

Despite the nerves, seniors are excited to explore new opportunities and break out of their routines. “I’m so excited to explore new things outside of Tampa,” said Noa. “I’ve lived in Tampa my whole life, and I’m ready to see what else is out there for me.”

Though stress is part of the process, seniors are eager for the experiences ahead. A few students offered advice to future seniors about navigating the college application process:

“It’s as stressful as you make it,” Gabe advised. “Give yourself time to complete everything for your college admissions.”

He also emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with teachers: “Keep good relationships with your teachers because they understand what you’re going through and want to help you. And, of course, have fun and relax a bit.”