So I'm in the process of working on my college apps, and I'm overwhelmed by the sheer number of supplemental essays I need to write. How do you keep track of everything and balance your time between all the supplements and regular school work?
I can understand how the number of supplemental essays can be overwhelming, but there are a few strategies that can help you manage your time and keep everything organized:
1. Make a list: Start by making a list of all the colleges you're applying to and the supplemental essays required for each. This will give you a clear overview of the tasks ahead. Additionally, make sure to note the deadlines for each supplemental essay submission.
2. Prioritize: Look at your list and prioritize the essays based on application deadlines, difficulty, or personal preferences. Focus on completing the essays that are due first and tackle those you find more challenging earlier on.
3. Break it down: Rather than looking at the entirety of all the essays, break each essay into smaller tasks. Divide the writing process into steps such as brainstorming, outlining, writing, and editing. This will make the tasks more manageable and help you maintain a sense of progress.
4. Set smaller deadlines: Allocate completion dates for each of the tasks mentioned in the previous point. These smaller deadlines can help you stay on track and make steady progress.
5. Use a schedule: Create a detailed schedule that includes your school work and essay writing. Dedicate specific chunks of time to work on your essays daily or weekly to ensure that you're consistently making progress.
6. Develop a system: As you write multiple essays, you may find that certain themes or topics overlap. Develop a system to organize your thoughts and anecdotes so that you can efficiently draw upon them for different essays.
7. Seek help: Don't hesitate to seek help from teachers, friends, family, or college counselors. They can provide valuable feedback and support as you work on your essays.
8. Stay focused on your school work: Remember that your grades are still important during application season, so be sure to allocate sufficient time to your regular school work.
9. Take breaks: It's important to avoid burnout. Take breaks and engage in activities you enjoy to maintain balance in your life.
10. Keep track of your progress: Use a spreadsheet or another tracking tool to keep a record of completed essays and the remaining tasks. This will help you stay organized and motivated as you see your progress.
Remember, as daunting as it may seem at first, breaking down the process into manageable steps and being organized can help alleviate the stress associated with writing multiple supplemental essays. Good luck!
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