SATs and College Applications - Senior Year Stress

The 2025-2026 school year is in full swing, and along with that comes the immense stress that the class of 2026 now faces, with exams, applications, and facing the end of their high school career. 

For those not thinking about the college application process just yet, I hope to give some insight as a junior (with the help of some seniors) into what is expected when you start focusing on post-secondary life.

SATs

The SATs are well known as an exam that many students dread, as it often plays a role in determining college outcomes. The SAT is a College Board-run exam, just like any AP tests you have taken. When I asked seniors to advise juniors on the SAT, their answer was simple: start studying now. The SAT is undeniably a tedious exam to study for, but the earlier you start, the more familiar you will be with the exam, and the more prepared you will feel. Often, seniors rush to take more SATs in September to achieve the best possible score. At the end of the day, the SAT is an important test for many, and while it's not necessary for the application process to colleges, if you do plan on taking it, the earlier you start preparing, the better.

College Applications

Along with SATs, any senior will tell you how much work college applications are, but the process is even more tedious than one would expect. Along with filling out repetitive forms, especially financial aid forms like FAFSA, most applications require supplements to see if you would be a good fit at their school. It is undeniably an enormous amount of work, but the college march in December signifies what is largely the end of the process, and is a gratifying way to end this season.

Managing Stress

While this all seems undeniably stressful, there are ways to reduce anxiety regarding both the SAT and College Apps. The most important one is to stay on top of your work. If you know what you have to do and when, you won't be scrambling last-minute to fill out a form or take a final exam. Along with this, always remember you have support. Our college counselor, YoungSeo, has been extremely helpful to all the seniors, whether they have questions about applications or just need support with their essay, so remember, you can always reach out to her

Seniors certainly have a lot to deal with as they approach the end of their high school career, but the process is just the beginning of the exciting things that await them when they graduate. While it might seem like the SATs and college applications are the end of the world, ultimately they’re not, and once you submit those applications, the only thing left to do is enjoy the rest of senior year and get excited for your future!