Much of the stress associated with a college search stems from being overwhelmed and being unorganized. As you begin your college search, organization skills will play a key role in the success (and your sanity) of the college selection process. Once you begin to take your standardized tests and visit college campuses, volumes of information will jam your mailbox. First, as the mail arrives filter through things that you are interested in saving and throw out right away what is not of interest to you.

Now that you know what you are going to keep, let's get it into an organized fashion. Below is a suggestion recently heard at a workshop and should help you get organized.

A CRATE IDEA

Purchase a plastic milk crate that is designed to hold hanging files (all major office supply stores carry them). Set up the following folders to begin with and add more as your search expands:

Ø      Standardized Tests

Ø      College Planning

Ø      Activities résumé

Ø      Campus Visits

Ø      Interviews

Ø      Personal Statements/Essay

Ø      Scholarships

Ø      Financial Aid

Ø      ROTC (if applicable)

Ø      NCAA (if applicable)

Reserve another 10-15 folders to label for each college on your "long list". As you begin to receive information from those colleges, you can set up a file for that school. As your interests change and you weigh each college choice, move the folders around arranging in them in order of preference at that time. Your order may change as the process continues.

Additional material will be added (like newsletters from the College Guidance Office and other tidbits) and you should create a new folder for these items.

This initial organization can relieve some stress (and clutter) in your life. And we all could use less stress and clutter!

GET ORGANIZED EARLY!