You start senior year of high school completely in denial of your seniority: “There’s no way time went by that fast,” “I’m not even close to becoming a real adult,” “College can’t already be starting in less than a year.” You go through the motions of testing and applying and applying and testing for what feels like an eternity. You finally send in all of your college applications and are filled with relief. But, that’s just the beginning.

Pretty soon, April rolls around and you’re surrounded by classmates who proudly wear their prospective school t-shirts, change their twitter bio to “University of…’21,” and seem to have their entire future figured out. Meanwhile, you’re still debating between three schools, secretly wishing that someone would just pick for you to get it over with. It’s stressful to have to make such a crucial decision in the midst of preparing for graduation, prom, etc. I completely understand the feeling- I didn’t commit to Elon until the beginning of April- so here are a few tips that will hopefully relieve some stress.

1. Accept that doubt is inevitable

It sounds fairly simple but can be quite complicated in practice. While some people may seem 100% confident in their decision, everyone has at least the slightest bit of doubt. Why? Everything is unknown. College is an entirely new ballgame and the only background information you have to go off of comes from websites, brochures, tours or word-of-mouth. There could be some days where you feel totally sure of your decision and other days where you feel not quite as confident. Remember that this is a totally natural feeling when it comes to any big decision in life and don’t let it get to your head.

2. Choose for you and only you

College is the time to be selfish. Set some specific goals you want to achieve, whether they are social or academic, and consider colleges that help you achieve those goals. Don’t settle on a college that everyone else wants you to attend. It’s very easy to fall into the mindset of “oh I’ll just commit here and get it over with” as time keeps on ticking, but don’t do that. Make a list of “pros/cons,” talk to your parents, talk to a counselor, and take your time. While a deadline does exist, there is nothing wrong with taking all the time you need up to that point.

3. Remember that tours and orientations do not accurately reflect college life

I remember absolutely hating tours and dreading orientation activities- if I had a dollar for every time I heard “let’s play an ice breaker,” I’d pay off my first year of tuition in no time. After being at school for almost two full semesters, I now know that college life is totally different. Everyone is free to do their own thing, determine their own path, and find their own friends. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the repetitiveness of tour season, keep in mind that attending school is much different. Try walking around campus on your own.

4. Trust your gut

As previously stated, I didn’t commit to Elon until the beginning of April. I knew roughly what I wanted to study, I knew I wanted to go out of state, but that was about all. After applying to ten colleges and driving copious hours for visits, I thought I’d never be able to decide. Everything started to blur together and I felt like the only person who hadn’t committed yet. I finally chose Elon for a number of reasons- student body size, class size, academic prestige, location. Sure, there were times this year where I felt I might not have made the right decision. But I realized that I started the school year carrying way too much unnecessary baggage. Once I let that go, I knew I ended up exactly where I was meant to be.

Everything works out in the end in one way or another. It may take awhile and it will probably feel overwhelming at times, but be patient and trust your instincts. No one knows you better than you, so take your time, breathe, and trust yourself.