Generations Abroad Media (GAM)

Here’s the truth:
No one is ever “ready” for college applications.

Not your smartest friend.
Not the kid who started SAT prep in sixth grade.
Not even the person who says, “It’s fine, I’m not stressed”
(They are absolutely lying.)

Before applications, I thought there were two types of people:

1. Those who had their whole lives figured out
2. Me

But college apps taught me something no adult ever said out loud:

Everyone is confused.
Some people are just better at pretending they’re not.

If I could talk to my younger self, here’s what I’d tell her:

1. You don’t need a perfect narrative.
You just need your real one.

I wasted so much time thinking:
- “Should I sound more scientific?”
- “Should I look more humanitarian?”
- “Should I be more… special?”

I thought admissions officers wanted a movie character.
Turns out they want a human being.

If you volunteer because you care, say that.
If you joined a club because your friend dragged you into it, say that.
If you discovered something about yourself from failure, DEFINITELY say that.

Authenticity is underrated.
But it reads louder than any polished “leadership story.”

2. Don’t compare your Chapter 1 to someone else’s Chapter 20.

There will always be someone who:
- started earlier
- does more
- sleeps less
- wins everything
- pretends everything is easy

You’re not racing them.
You’re building you.

Comparisons are like scrolling TikTok at 2 AM -
you know you shouldn’t, but you can’t stop, and suddenly you feel terrible for no reason.

Your timeline is your timeline.
And it’s valid.

3. Your parents will stress you out.
But they’re stressed because they love you.

I used to get annoyed when my mom asked:
- “Did you finish your supplements?”
- “Why is your essay so short?”
- “Should we hire another tutor?”

Now I realize she was just trying to help using the only tools she knew.

Immigrant fear is different.
It carries memories of uncertainty and sacrifice.

If you can, take one deep breath and remember:
Their stress is love, disguised badly.

4. Sleep matters more than you think.

No one makes good decisions at 1:57 AM.
Not you.
Not me.
Not anyone.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is brush your teeth and go to bed.

5. No college acceptance defines your worth.
None. Zero. Never.

The biggest lie we tell ourselves is:

“If I don’t get into X, my life is over.”

Spoiler:
Life is HUGE, and college is just one street on a very long map.

Your future is shaped by:
- your curiosity
- your courage
- your kindness
- the way you show up
- the people you meet
- the opportunities you create

Not by four years printed on a sweatshirt.

6. The best part of college isn’t the name.
It’s who you become once you get there.

College isn’t a trophy.
It’s a season - one where you grow, fall, rebuild, discover, and become someone you didn’t even know you could be.

You’ll find:
- friends who feel like family
- professors who change your brain
- classes that make you question everything
- nights you’ll remember forever
- and mornings you’ll survive on caffeine

You’ll become more you.

And that’s the point.

If you’re applying now, here’s my hand on your shoulder:
You’re not behind.
You’re not failing.
You’re not lost.

You’re becoming.

And that’s the part no one tells you -
the college application isn’t about college at all.
It’s about learning who you are becoming next.