The College Process

by Clare Antesberger

Ah, yes, it’s that time of the year again. As seniors start receiving their admissions decisions from colleges around the country, the juniors are plagued with the fear of what we call the “college process.” When asking friends during my free period about one word they would use to describe the college application process, people said “astonishing”, “terrifying”, and “scary”. I would have to agree - the process can be each of these things. No words can fully articulate the intricacies of this process, but as a senior that has committed to college, I can offer words of wisdom and explain it a bit. Here are some things I learned throughout the process!

It is different for everybody.

Much about the college process is universal - everyone is nervous, eager, and unsure. But it’s also a process that is extremely different for every student. What is right for one student may not be right for the other, so don’t compare yourself to others. Lean on each other and cheer each other on, but respect the privacy of those around you.

Know what’s the right fit for you.

Because everybody’s process is different, knowing yourself and doing your research is incredibly important! Be sure to talk to your family and college counselor about what range of schools would work best for you academically, socially, and financially. SCOIR, Google, and Niche are a few incredible online resources, and the Fiske Guide books are wonderful for learning about different schools and building your college admissions vocabulary.

Talk to your college counselor!

Creating a relationship with your college counselor is essential in this process. Your college counselors are your advocates, cheerleaders, and mentors. They have your best interests at heart and the more that you share with them the more they can help you. Also, they are the ones that send all of your materials to the schools you apply to! So keeping them up to date is a must.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

I read this book very quickly. I became addicted as the enemies-to-lovers plot rapidly unfolded. The main characters, Olive and Ethan, meet because their siblings are getting married. Despite their initial dislike of each other, they are the only two that don’t get sick at the wedding, so they take the trip that was intended to be their siblings’ honeymoon. On the trip they have to pretend to be married, which leads them to find out that they get along better than they thought. This is a trope that has been done many times before, but the witty, impressive writing is engrossing. The characters could benefit from a bit more depth and intrigue, but the book’s fast-paced nature and intriguing plot twists make it an enjoyable read.

Learn to love writing.

A big piece of the college application process is writing. From your personal statement to supplemental essays, writing is an essential skill for this phase. When thinking about what to say, the most important thing is being authentic. Also, your teachers, college counselors, and parents are here to support you! Proofreading is incredibly helpful, but before you hit submit make sure they still sound like your voice. Lastly, start sooner rather than later!

Don’t worry too much!

The college process can be incredibly stressful, but it’s also incredibly empowering and wonderful. It’s important to stay hopeful and believe that what’s meant to be will happen. Any school that you end up attending is incredibly lucky to have you, and good things come to those who wait. It’s not a race or a competition!

The college process is one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had. I’m so grateful for the support that the St. Anne’s-Belfield community provided, especially the College Counseling Office. I’m so excited to see the incredible things that come out of the younger classes’ processes!

Lunar New Year Dishes

by Qiming Fu

Portrait of an Unknown Lady by Maria Gainza

This book was very different from what I’m normally drawn to, but I gave it a try after Dr. Troy recommended it to me, and ended up enjoying it quite a bit! The story takes place in Argentina and follows the experience of a woman who is involved in art forgery. The book’s mysterious plot and riveting narration. The story is full of many characters, and the people and scenes that seem out of place support the narrator’s claims of not remembering the story correctly. While I got lost in the plot a few times, I still enjoyed this book. The smooth writing and nostalgic tone felt warm and kept me turning the pages.

Many popular new year dishes are a play on words. In Chinese, the name of many food is pronounced the same or very similar to other words that may resemble blessings or good fortune. Here are three recipes my family makes every year that you can try cooking yourself!

“What You Wish Will Come True”

Ingredients: Pig Heart

Cilantro

Tomatoes Orange

Slice all your ingredients and place them in a circular format around your plate: heart on the inside, orange on the outside. Start from the center and work your way out, focusing on a wish as you do so. Once you finish consuming a serving of each of the four ingredients, your wish has been manifested and will come true!