With college decisions coming out, it can be hard to remember what the purpose of this stressful process is. Here are some things to remember as you finish the college process and start to decide which school you will attend.

1. Live in the moment

The college process makes it very hard to enjoy and appreciate everyday life. This is mostly due to the fact that throughout this process we are forced to think far into the future in order to decide what school will be the best for us. Something that I have always said is "the more you do the more you do." By this, I mean that the busier you are, the more focused and driven you are within your commitments. But, it is crucial to find time to enjoy yourself and take in your last year of high school, because it will fly by.

2. Learn about yourself

Even though most people would say that the main goal of the college process is to get into college, I would have to disagree. I think learning about yourself is the most important part of this process. It forces you to think about what aspects of your education and lifestyle you value. You will learn what sort of things you prioritize, and you will learn how resilient you are. When you come out on the other side, you will be stronger and have a firmer grasp on yourself as a person, whether you realize it or not.

3. Don't let the prestige of a school cloud what you want

I think one of the most detrimental things that can happen during this process is to lose sight of what will make you the happiest. With all of the outside pressures from your peers, parents, and society in general, it can be hard to take a step back and make the decision that will be right for you. If it comes down to a decision between a "highly ranked" school and a lesser known one, choose the one where you feel you will be the happiest. By no means do I mean to belittle these highly ranked schools, because for some people they are the perfect fit. But if you are choosing a school based only on its prestige and what others think of it, then I believe you are going about this process in an unhealthy way. Stay true to yourself even if it is hard because your happiness is what matters.

4. Don't compare yourself to others

It can be hard to avoid talking to your classmates about this crazy process, especially since they can relate to you and you can commiserate together. But try to avoid talking about what schools you are applying to so that you can prevent yourself from making comparisons to others. Don't let what other people are doing affect the way that you run your process.

5. It is your process and no one else's

Although other aspects such as finances and location must eventually come into play, the ultimate decision of where you end up is yours. Try to limit the influences from your parents and peers, so that you can focus on honing in on the things that you value. Take full advantage of this tumultuous adventure! And make it yours.