It’s coming to that time of the year again, the dreaded college applications. Filling them out and sending them in isn't even the hard part, it is the waiting to hear back that gets you. The stress and anticipation of wondering if you got into your top pick, let alone the safety schools, is a feeling that you never want to experience. Yet, we all do. Here are the five stages of the college applications process.

Stage 1- Relief

You got your applications in! A big weight has just been lifted off of your shoulders and you are happy to get the tedious paperwork done. Now you can enjoy the rest of your time without worrying about college...Right?

Stage 2- Anxiousness

At this point you are starting to wonder when the colleges will send you a letter. You start to feel impatient and just want to know the answer immediately, no matter what it might be. It’s even worse when your friends start to hear back from the colleges they've applied to but yet, you still have nothing.

Stage 3- Denial

In this point of the waiting game, you start to wonder if they will accept you. What if they don't? What if you weren't good enough for that school? What if someone else got your spot? Irrational thoughts will be racing through your mind as you anticipate the letter back. Did you think that the stress would end when you handed in your application? You thought wrong.

Stage 4- Acceptance!

You finally got the letter you have been waiting for. Whether it be an acceptance or not, the waiting game has finally come to end and you now know where you will be attending in the next year to come. All the hype about getting good grades and doing extra work to impress colleges has all led up to this moment. You will never have to hear the phrase “It will look good on your college resume!” ever again.

Stage 5- How am I going to afford this?

Sure you got into your dream college, but now comes the financial weight. Loans will end up being your “frenemy”. They will help you along your way but follow you around for life. However, go enjoy your freshmen year of college. You have worked so hard for this and we all deserve to relax and have some fun after an achievement.