Washingtonville High School guidance counselor Mrs. Exarchakis helpfully informed, “Typically, the FAFSA application period opens on October 1st for the following school year.  This year the U.S. Department of Education made changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA form and moved the open period to December.  The goal was to simplify the form.  However, there were numerous glitches and technical errors with the form.  This definitely had a major impact on students making their college decisions.”

 

On top of the monetary struggles for students this year, there were numerous stresses throughout the entire year that students felt such as trying to pick the perfect school, writing essays, or subconsciously believing the narrative that the “college process” is exceptionally anxiety-ridden, thus inducing those anxieties.

 

Mrs. Exarchakis continued, “There are a number of stressful parts of the college application process for students. The concept as a whole can be very overwhelming for most students and their families. Then, there are factors like choosing the right college, application deadlines, standardized tests, essays, letters of recommendation, and financial concerns. Visit the campus, apply early if possible, focus on the right fit for you, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

 

Regarding the actual transition and differences between high school and college, there are many necessary habits one must develop and certain, easily fallen into, inadequate routines to avoid.

 

2023 Washingtonville graduate Michaela Rose Pagana communicated, “For me, it was a bit of a challenge because all of the work I was graded on was done outside of class so I had to really learn how to manage my time. There were periods where I would be very limited on time since I was involved in a sport.”

 

There was much to adapt to, as she stated, “I had to learn diligence and attentiveness to actually apply myself and get my work done. Also, if you know you need to go study or complete an assignment, it’s completely okay to tell your friends you can’t hang or can’t get food. Those friends will still be there tomorrow.”

 

Concerning the first semester of college, there are a good deal of tips and pitfalls that college advisors have and see every year from the majority of matriculated freshmen.

 

Amanda King, a long-time professional advisor at Liberty University for the School of Communication & the Arts, voiced, “Time Management, organization, being away from home, mental health, eating habits and sleeping habits are the top five biggest struggles for first-year students. Stay active and eat to stay energized. Some schools have Academic Mentoring for students to help with these obstacles.”

 

She continued with more advice for the first couple semesters, articulating, “The later you wait to take math, the more difficult the subject will be even if you are good at math. Meet with your advisor even if you think you know what classes to take for the next semester. Don’t skip class and put down the phone/controller at night.”

 

Combining senior year’s entirety, the summer, and the fall semester of college, it is safe to say the transition from high school to college is not easy, but there are ways to manage the stress and seemingly overwhelming adjustments that add into the beginning of the collegiate life frenzy.