Introduction
"I just work better under pressure."
I used to say this all the time, especially during my own college application process. There was something almost addictive about the adrenaline rush of pulling together essays at the last minute, frantically researching schools the night before supplements were due, then somehow managing to submit applications that got me into good schools.
But here's what I didn't realize back then: I wasn't avoiding my college work because I was lazy or undisciplined. I was avoiding it because the whole process felt so overwhelming that my brain kept saying, "Let's just deal with this later when we feel more ready."
The problem was, "later me" never felt more ready. Later me just had less time and more stress to work with.
What I wish someone had told me is that procrastination isn't inherently bad—it's actually your brain trying to protect you from something that feels threatening or too big to handle. It's a tug-of-war between the part of you that wants to feel comfortable right now and the part of you that knows you need to grow toward something bigger.
And honestly? This tension is completely normal, especially when you're trying to figure out who you want to become while simultaneously convincing colleges you're worth their investment. The goal isn't to eliminate this internal struggle—it's to learn how to work with it so you can keep moving forward without feeling like you need to be perfect right out of the gate.
This Week's Insight
Procrastination during college applications isn't about time management—it's about identity management.
Every time you put off working on your applications, you're unconsciously negotiating between two versions of yourself: the Present You who wants to feel safe and comfortable, and the Future College You who needs certain things figured out to thrive.
But here's where it gets tricky: you're treating your future college self like they're going to magically have all the answers once they arrive on campus. You're betting that the person sitting in a Harvard classroom or walking across Stanford's campus will somehow know what Present You is struggling to figure out.
When you avoid writing that "Why this college?" essay, you're essentially saying, "I'll figure out what I actually want once I get there." When you put off reflecting deeply for your personal statement, you're telling yourself, "I'll become self-aware in college." When you avoid researching what you want to study, you're assuming your future self will have clarity that present you doesn't.
But here's what I've learned from students who actually thrive at their dream schools: they're not the ones who figured everything out perfectly before arriving. They're the ones who started the messy, imperfect work of self-discovery during the application process itself.
The students who struggle most in college? Often they're the ones who arrived with beautiful applications but no real sense of why they wanted to be there or who they wanted to become.
This Week's Reflection
Instead of beating yourself up for procrastinating, get curious about what you might be avoiding:
What aspect of the college application process (researching schools/summer programs, brainstorming topics, drafting, revising, etc) feels most overwhelming or scary, and what would it look like to approach that piece with curiosity instead of pressure to get it "right"?
Maybe you're avoiding thinking deeply about your values because you're worried they're not impressive enough. Maybe you're putting off researching schools because you're afraid of wanting something you might not get. Maybe you're avoiding essay writing because you feel pressure to sound profound instead of just honest.
Remember: the goal isn't to have perfect clarity about your future. It's to start building a bridge between who you are now and who you're growing toward becoming.
This Week's Action Step
Try one (or all) of these gentle approaches to working with your procrastination instead of against it:
1. The Future College Self Check-In: When you notice yourself avoiding application work, pause and ask: "The version of me who's thriving at my dream college—what would they want me to explore right now?" Then imagine the specific relief and pride your future self will feel knowing you took one small step today, even if it's imperfect.
2. The 10-Minute Promise: Make a deal with yourself: "I'll work on this for just 10 minutes, then decide whether to continue." Set a timer and commit fully to those minutes. This isn't about finishing anything—it's about proving to your brain that starting doesn't have to be overwhelming. You'll often find that momentum builds naturally once you begin.
3. Reward Pairing: Create a "first this, then that" structure. For example: "After I spend 15 minutes brainstorming essay topics, I'll watch one episode of my favorite show." By pairing productive work with immediate rewards you genuinely enjoy, you're teaching your brain that application work can actually feel good instead of just stressful.
The key with all of these is progress over perfection. You're not trying to become someone who never procrastinates—you're learning to procrastinate less often and with more awareness when you do.
Next Week Preview
Speaking of future selves—next week, I'm giving you an exclusive peek behind the scenes at what it's actually like to be a student at one of the most recognized universities in the world: UCLA (my alma mater)!
You'll get real, unfiltered testimonies from current UCLA students about what they wish they'd known before applying, plus insights that apply to any large public flagship university (think UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, UW-Madison). From navigating massive lecture halls to finding your community in a school of 45,000+ students, these aren't the polished perspectives you'll find on admissions websites—they're the honest, sometimes messy realities that will actually help you decide if this type of environment is right for you.
You don't want to miss it!
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