You spend the first eighteen years of your life preparing for it, and even then, sometimes, it is just not enough. Acceptances may come in small doses, but rejections come in flurries, and many a high school student is often left heartbroken and confused as they ponder how it all went wrong. I got a perfect SAT score, and a 4.0 GPA, but still...?

As someone who's been through every step of the process, I completely understand, and I sympathize with all you poor souls. And so, in order to prevent the L's of the future generation of college applicants, here are five ways high schoolers can actually prepare for college applications (before it's too late!)

1. Actually. Do. Things.

This one isn't as obvious as one might think.

Sure, everyone's gotta have the mandatory 100 hours of community service for graduation (or whatever it may be in your state.) And everyone joins NHS, and Key Club, and Model UN...

Sure, you do things in high school. But in order to have the best resume for college apps, you have to do more.

So what if you're in NHS? Everyone does NHS. You're not going to stand out that way.

So instead, specialize! Put yourself out there! Don't just join Future Business Leaders of America; also get an internship at your local big business. Don't just do Science Olympiad; become a lab assistant somewhere! Get my gist?

Yes, you do a lot in high school. But to be the best, you have to do a lot, and more.

2. LEARN HOW TO WRITE GOOD ESSAYS.

Essays are perhaps the most overlooked aspect of college apps.

Let me blunt: who cares if you've got that great SAT or ACT test score or have a 4.0 GPA if you can't even tell the admissions committee who you are? Colleges are looking to admit students, not statistics.

And what better way to articulate oneself than through writing?

The essay portion of the application is perhaps the only part of the application where you truly get to show who you really are to admissions. So take advantage of it! If you're lacking in grades or test scores, this area of the app may be your salvation. Because through your essay, you get to illustrate just how unique (and likable!) of a person you really are; you no longer remain a number on a piece of paper.

3. Have an idea of what you want in a college before applying.

This one's important.

Do you favor that big campus feel, or prefer a small community? Do you want a STEM-based education, or do your passions lie in the arts? Do you want to venture off out-of-state, or do you want to commute from home?

All of these are questions you should answer before you apply. College applications are expensive, for one, and you don't want to be stuck attending a school you don't really vibe with just because it was the only place you applied. Really think it all over, and have fun with it! You'll be spending the next four years of your life there, after all. so you'll want to enjoy it as much as you can!

No lie: college applications are daunting.

But they don't have to be. All you have to do is give it some thought, and you'll get the most out of it. So don't be afraid--look forward to it!

(I know I did, despite it all!)