Saint Ignatius seniors have expressed great stress this fall semester as the November 1st college early decision and action application deadline and signing date approach. Thus, most of the senior class struggles to balance homework, college applications, and the recruiting process.
According to the college counseling department, 98% of Ignatius seniors attend a college/university the following year. Many students choose to apply either early decision or action to a handful of schools. As this deadline approaches, students realize their college application process is due in just a few weeks.
Some students also have additional challenges during this time, as they go through the final weeks of the recruiting process. This fall semester is filled with official visits, causing recruits to miss countless school days. Missing classes and deciding which school is the best academic and athletic fit has caused athletes to determine what’s most important for themselves.
On top of applications and getting recruited, as the school year kicks off, the rigorous senior year coursework is being put into full effect. Ignatius seniors Teddy Chong and Fin Duffy are both taking four AP classes as well as honors courses. They both shared how their different experiences have affected the way they balance their specific college process. They both experience completely different methods, though both are equally stressful.
One student, Chong, is applying to 23 schools, four of which are a part of the service academies. He has been balancing preparing for the CFA (Candidate Fitness Assessment), along with writing essays for the 19 other schools he is applying to via Common App. Chong said that he has created a spreadsheet to organize his school list to plan and manage his time for completing these applications. Chong said, “Every night, I can have up to three hours of homework. I use my free periods to do the homework I don’t finish at home.” Through this process, he explains how he has learned how to best manage his schedule, and take advantage of every minute possible.
On the other hand, an Ignatius rower, Duffy, is undergoing the recruiting process. He has been balancing communication with schools, as well as completing the necessary training outside of practice. On top of morning practice, he spends anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half working out each day after school. To do this, Duffy said he does most of his homework during the day via other classes or free periods and roughly has an hour to an hour and a half of homework a night. He leaves thirty minutes of homework to do before school the next day. When asked how he stays motivated, he said “It is difficult when schools don’t respond, but rewarding when your hard work finally pays off.”
While both students have different application experiences, they are both learning how to manage their time. These students shared with us their strategies and advice on managing their time this fall. Duffy said, “Make sure to stay focused on the goals at hand and the rest will follow.” Though the recruiting process may be difficult for some, managing time will make it possible. Chong said, “Do not squander time, use every moment available, and don’t procrastinate.” Senior year is filled with stress leading up to the deadline, but with the right organization and scheduling, the process could become more manageable.
