The fall season is one of the busiest for the upperclassmen in high schools around the country. Seniors must complete multiple applications, standardized tests and Advance Placement (AP) classes in order to begin planning for their future. Unfortunately, many students in the class of 2014 are struggling with approaching deadlines and their upcoming futures.

When students’ lives are preoccupied with the start of football season, weekend events, homecoming excitement and many other activities it is easy to forget about the reality of the future. The future is closer for some than others, but nonetheless students should put their future into perspective.

This month especially is one of the most stressful months as seniors take their last SAT or ACT’s and submit early admission applications. But for others, the reality that college applications are due within the next three months or so has yet to set in. The Feather staff wants all its readers to view their future in reality, and plan accordingly.

The Feather staff encourages students, especially seniors, to follow the advice of campus Academic Advisor Michelle Warkentin. In her Sept. 11 article, College Corner: Application process, Warkentin encourages the seniors to plan out their applications and get started early.

But for the freshman class, college might seem like a foreign language that they never have to worry about. But, even if students don’t think about college, they should focus on school. Every year seniors who did not get the best grades as underclassmen look back, regretting the decision to disregard the importance of freshman and sophomore year grades.

Sophomore year, some students may begin to take AP classes in order to improve their grade point average (GPA). As important as this is, not even multiple AP classes can make up for slacking off during freshmen year.

After becoming upperclassmen, the junior class is probably still petrified of the idea of college. Though serious college deliberations are not crucial until senior year, the juniors must prepare themselves for taking standardized tests like the SAT or ACT in the spring. Getting an early start on studying can help improve test scores in the long run.

While the future and the unknown may be scary, The Feather staff hopes that some fears may be conquered through planning ahead. By being conscious of the future, students may be able to settle some of the anxiety that comes with changes that are impossible to avoid as the future approaches.

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For more opinions, read the Sept. 12 article, Student tours Spain, experiences new culture.