With college application deadlines getting closer and closer, this time of year can become very stressful. Here are 10 tips to help ease the process.

1) Stay Organized- Keep all aspects of the application process together. Keep track of colleges applied to and test scores sent.

2) Keep Track of Deadlines- Have a list of deadlines for applications, scholarships and financial aid so that nothing is forgotten about when the time comes.

3) Beef Up Resume- Embellish on activities put in a resume to further explain them so colleges will fully understand what the activities listed are.

4) Apply to a “Safety School”- Students should apply to a school they know they will get in to. That way if they don’t get into their dream school, there will be a back up plan.

5) Get Critique on Essays- Ask counselor, teachers, or any other experienced person to help critique essays written for college. The essay is the best way for a college to get to know a student, so it is important to have a good one.

6) Check Out the College- Not all schools are a fit for everyone. Visiting a college or universities campus allows for the student to get to know the campus and decide if it is right for them.

7) Work on One Application at a Time- Working on multiple applications at once can get very confusing, so make sure to only work on one at a time so there are no mix-ups in the application process.

8) Explore Different Colleges and Majors- Spend time researching different colleges and majors so when it comes time to send in an application, the student has options and an idea of what they want to do.

9) Fill Out Scholarship and Financial Aid Forms- Even if a student may not need either, there is a chance they may receive aid or scholarships so it is always important to apply for all that you can.

10) Get Good Recommendations- Get recommendations from teachers that will know the student well and knows their abilities. Always pick someone who is on good terms with the student.

With these tips in mind, it is important to remember there is always help to be found from a high school counselor, teacher, and online resources such as College Board.