Applying for college can be a daunting feat for even the most diligent students. With pressures from parents, teachers and peers mounting at this time being properly prepared will boost your confidence and make the entire process easier.

Hopefully, you’ve read through that pile of brochures and have come up with a list of prospective colleges. You may also have researched potential online colleges. Online colleges offer more flexible schedules and can often work out cheaper than traditional colleges. If you have decided to pursue on online college check out our list of available schools here.

Following these simple steps will enable you to confidently face this stressful time and successfully apply for the college of your choice:

• Select your prospective schools. Make sure you are suited to that particular school. If you haven’t been building a portfolio, then your chances of getting into an art or fashion school are slim. Ideally you would have done some research throughout the year and chosen schools that best suit your educational goals.

• Go online and get the dates for applications and financial aid submissions for each school – and then either make a list or put them on your calendar. Even the most qualified, desirable students can find themselves shut out if they miss these important deadlines.

• In addition to the dates and the forms, make a complete list of everything else you are going to need. Double check to insure your academic record is up-to-date and accurate. Some colleges and universities require references, and the sooner you line up your sources, the better. Are you applying for any special programs or scholarships? Do they need any additional documentation? The more advance work you do now, the less frantic you’ll be as those deadlines approach.

• If you are applying for scholarships or financial aid, you will need to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA forms. Since this form will require information about your family’s income and expenses, you may need to get some help, so get started early on this one.

• Now for the application process itself. Check to see if the schools you are applying to accept the Common Application (a/k/a Common App). This eliminates the tedium of filling out a lot of the same information over-and-over-and-over again. But remember, even if all your college picks accept the Common App, they may require additional material and you will also need to pay an application fee to each school.

• Some schools accept online applications and many may even wave application fees since electronic applications save paperwork. However, most of these sites aren’t set up to allow you to save your data if you log in and out. So if you think you want to apply online, make sure you’re prepared to fill out everything in one sitting.

• Much has been written about The College Essay – and this is an important part of your college application. Once again, preparation is the key to writing something that will set you apart from the rest of the pack. If writing isn’t your greatest strength, then get help from a teacher, adviser or one of the many on-line resources available. Rewriting your essay will ensure that all mistakes are rectified and you are more comfortable sending it with your application. Remember; always proofread anything you send to potential colleges.

Yes, the college application process can be stress inducing, but you can eliminate a lot of the drama with some smart planning and preparation. So what are you waiting for? Remember, the ways things happen are the way they’re planned – so start your strategy now.