For some, the most daunting part of the entire application process is the Common Application personal essay—a critical component that many students are still trying to finish. It’s no surprise, considering the workload seniors are managing.

“I know I need to write my essay, but I’ve just been so overwhelmed with schoolwork,” admitted one senior during a quiet moment in the LMC, capturing the frustration many feel. Between keeping up with class assignments and making time for extracurriculars, finding the time and mental energy to craft a personal, thoughtful essay is a struggle.

But even amid all the chaos, there’s an undeniable drive pushing the seniors forward. That glimmer of hope—imagining the thrill of an acceptance letter from their dream school—makes it all worth it. The journey is stressful, and filled with uncertainty, but this senior class is determined. One application, one essay, one step at a time, they are working toward their future. The leaves start to fall, and the air turns crisp; there’s something else in the air at St. John Vianney High School: the unmistakable stress of college application season. For seniors, this time of year is a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety as they prepare to submit their applications and wait for that golden moment—a college acceptance in their inbox.

But with this excitement comes pressure. Balancing academics with fast-approaching college deadlines has many seniors feeling overwhelmed, and for some, there never seems to be enough time. Late nights, frantic revisions, and the nagging feeling of not having everything quite perfect are all too familiar.

“I still need to write two supplemental essays,” senior Anthony Kistler confessed, a statement that seemed to echo through the hallways. Like many of his classmates, Anthony is juggling multiple essays, deadlines, and the demands of schoolwork, all while trying to present the best version of himself to college admissions offices.