Get Organized!

Have you noticed that Monday is October 1? That means there are only a few months left to complete all those college application tasks. And it's not like you don't have lots of other things on your plate as well--like your senior year classes, homework, work, sports, sleep, etc. So here are some ways to get organized.
1. Create a college email address: have a unique, professional sounding email address (I suggest using your full name) that is only for college related information. You do not want to miss that deadline because the email from the college telling you about it was buried in 1,000 facebook notifications or spam messages.
2. Create a calendar: use your college list (if you don't have a college list yet, that should be the #1 priority for the next week or two!) to make a list of due dates for applications, financial aid information, visits, test dates, and anything else you will need to do in the next few months. Make sure to mark May 1st as final decision day--traditionally the last day to notify schools if you will or won't be attending.
3. Create a checklist: for each school make a list of everything required for their applications. Every school is a little different. Some will want 1 letter of recommendation, some will want 2, some will take extra ones, others will not, some require them sent with the transcript--you need a way to keep track of this. Some will require test results submitted directly from the testing agency, others will take them from the high school transcript. Some require an essay, some do not. Clearly mark any school that will use the Common Application--it will save you a lot of time if you use the Common App wherever you can.
4. Keep a journal: keep track of your visits, contacts with the school, special features etc. for each school, noting special features, reactions, etc. If you are applying to more than one school, you will be amazed at how quickly they begin to blur--was it College X or College Y that had that great biochem lab equipment? You don't want to rely on your memory--believe me.
A little organization now can save you a lot of stressful moments--take a little time now, for your own sake.