How to Handle College Application Deadline Stress

Short answer: Start early. Finish early.

Longer answer: Assuming you were not able to start early, finish early — and it happens — the key to managing deadline stress is to realize that this is no different than any other assignment you’ve been given — projects, papers, homework. The underlying stressor is the belief that your entire life depends on the outcome of this application. Trust me, it doesn’t. That’s not to say it’s not important, but it isn’t life or death no matter how much it may feel like it. Set aside time before the deadline to get it done.

Fun fact: If you stop reading this and go write, you’ll finish sooner.