Race to the finish? For some of my students, it’s looking more like a lope.

Though the Peppermint Mocha aroma is still wafting out of my local Starbucks, this holiday season is, for many, a subdued one. Some students are experiencing “application fatigue” (I poke them), others have decided to defer applying this year (I support them) and still others are done submitting (I congratulate them).

As time is of the essence for those with deadlines looming, here’re some tips for students who want to turn that lope into a sprint.

Tech Diet

No matter how little or how much you’re addicted to your screens, now’s the time to forego any online/cellular activity. Not only is this a good way to practice self-control, but it’s also a good way to ensure your college apps get in on time. Lock your gadgets in a drawer or home safe (I’m not joking.) and tell your pals that you’ll be in touch when you’ve hit SUBMIT on your last application.

Ask for Help

There’s no shame in saying, “I need help.” It could be time-management advice or essay coaching: lean on someone. Whether it’s a parent, another relative, a teacher, a mentor or a friend, ask them to handhold you in order to heave-ho applications out of the portals and into admissions officers’ inboxes.

Dangle A Carrot

What’s your reward after you hit SUBMIT on your last application? It doesn’t have to be big and fancy. Perhaps it’s a loooooooong FaceTime with a pal. Perhaps it’s a holiday cookie bake-off with your bubble. Perhaps it’s a binge-watch of bad TV or maybe it’s a Peppermint Mocha. Name a treat, make sure it’s attainable (climbing Mt Everest isn’t an option at the moment) and then get those applications in so you can indulge.

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For more information about College Counseling/Essay Coaching, please drop me a line at Elizabeth@eecollegecoach.com or give me a holler at 917-863-2424. Also, for “news you can use,” please check out my blog, videos, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

And Happy Holidays to all!