If you’re assigned any papers during your senior year, you can count on EasyBib citing tools for help generating an MLA format citation, an APA format title page, or a Chicago citation.

The general dates below were true at the time this article was written. To obtain up-to-date and specific deadlines, be sure to visit the website of anything that interests you.

Late summer/early fall (Aug-Oct)

As you go into your senior year, you should have finalized a list of colleges that interest you. You might want to apply to schools that will likely accept you, as well as schools that have stricter admissions policies. It’s important that you’re mindful of all of the requirements of your preferred schools, including different standardized tests or recommendation letters.

Dates and deadlines:

• August 1st: The Common Application opens, along with many other schools’ applications for admissions online.
• End of September: Have at least two teachers or community members set to write you a letter of recommendation.
• End of September/Early October: Retake any standardized tests to boost your scores, including the SAT, ACT, or SAT subject tests.
• October 1st: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) opens, which allows you to apply for need-based financial aid for college.
• Ask a school guidance counselor if you need financial help with applications and would like a fee waiver.

Mid-to-late fall (Oct-Nov)

After you’ve figured out what schools you like, it is a good idea to start working on your supplemental essays and overall application. If you like a particular school a lot, consider applying to an early action or early decision program that will let you know your admissions decision sooner. Most schools have scholarship programs for merit or need, too, so do a little investigating to see if you’re eligible and map out the dates in your planner.

Tip: Have a friend, parent, or teacher look through your essay and application before you send it off. Running your essay through a grammar or spell check can also you spot typos before it’s too late.

Dates and deadlines:

• October: Start looking for university-specific scholarship programs.
• October/November: Check out national scholarship programs like Coca-Cola Scholars, Gates Scholars, or Jack Kent Cooke that have deadlines in the fall.
• November 1st: Most universities have early acceptance program deadlines on this day.
• November: Start exploring community or field-specific scholarships and considering your financial needs. There are even apps like Scholly to help with this!

Winter (Jan-Feb)

Now that you’ve got most of your application material submitted, you can focus on finding external scholarships and sending any mid-year reports that your preferred schools require. Consider signing up for an alumni interview or doing a second tour if you find out that you have been accepted.

Dates and deadlines:

• January 1st: Most universities have regular admissions deadlines on this day.
• January/February: Schools that require a CSS profile have varying deadlines.

Spring (Mar-May)

At this point in your senior year, you’ve almost made it! You’ll be walking in your cap and gown in no time at all. Now, all that is left is to make your final decisions and tell your schools what you decide. You should feel a massive load off of your shoulders at this point. Chin up, though, and make it through senior year strong! Remember, colleges will look at your grades from your last semester of high school.

Dates and deadlines:

• March/April: Most universities will release their admissions decisions.
• March/April: Start preparing for AP, IB, or final examinations.
• April: Send supplemental materials to any colleges that have waitlisted you.
• May 1: Most schools have their decision deadline.

Give yourself a big pat on the back for making it this far! While this process of applying to colleges can feel full of emotions, keeping on a schedule and being organized will calm your nerves and make you feel like you’re on top of it. While the guidelines change from school to school, keep this as your general guide for the year— and best of luck!

Searching for inspiration? EasyBib has a resource with thought-provoking Martin Luther King Jr quotes, Abraham Lincoln facts, Dr. Seuss quotes, and more!

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EasyBib can help with writing projects, large or small, personal or educational. From an AI-enhanced essay checker to fun guides featuring examples of interjections and the correct usage of coordinating conjunctions and indefinite pronouns, it can help polish any writing you do — from a thank you note to a dissertation.

1.     After an interview

If you had a big interview for a job or a summer internship and you’re looking to follow up, a thank you note is the perfect way to do it. Writing a handwritten thank you note will definitely distinguish you from the crowd, and it shows extra effort that tells your interviewer that you are serious about the position. Try to include little things that you all discussed during your time together if you can. If you do not know the physical address of your interviewer, a quick email thank you note is fine, too.

2.     After receiving a gift

Birthdays, holidays, and graduation are all prime thank you note writing time — even if you haven’t ever written a family member or a friend a thank you card before, now is the time to start showing your loved ones thanks for their gifts. After all, they took time to pick out a gift for you, so you can take a little time to thank them for it on paper! It can be great to include photos with the gift, too. For example, if you receive a new jacket from your grandmother, sending her a note with a photo of you wearing the jacket would surely brighten her day, and as a result, yours.

3.     After someone helps you with something difficult

Sometimes we get stuck in sticky situations and need some help. Maybe someone pitched in and helped you with that big event you were planning, or maybe a professor listened to your worries about your grades and offered a lot of comfort to you. After you resolve your situation and things calm down a little, it can be nice to send a thank you note to those who were there for you in that time of need. You can even add in a note about how things are after receiving them and how they helped you reach success.

4.     After someone gives you their time

Even if you aren’t in a difficult situation, you might find yourself in a circumstance where you would like advice or mentorship from someone older. This could be someone you know through a friend, a professor or a past work experience. Writing a thank you note to thank them for their time after speaking with them will show your gratitude for their input or advice, and it will help you to strengthen that relationship for the future.

5.     After a wonderful class or experience

Every now and then, a professor will be exceptional, or a friend will throw an amazing event. This is a perfect time to send a thank you note! Any experience that left a positive impression on you is reason enough to pick up a pen and start writing, and the person receiving the note will be so happy that you acknowledged their efforts.

6.     Just for fun!

There are specific times where it is appropriate, and even expected, that you send a thank you note, including the times listed above. But, if you know someone that you just really appreciate for their personality, character or actions, then be sure to show your gratitude for their presence in your life. Everyone appreciates a kind note, and being more thankful in your daily life will help you spread kindness and grow friendships with the kind of people that you seek to be like.

Now that you can picture sometimes in your life when you can send a proper thank you, don’t hold back! Studies show that people appreciate the thank you much more than you think, even if you’re scared about the reaction being awkward. Sending thank you notes can be a very mature way to show gratitude and appreciation, and it’s a great time to start forming that habit of saying “thank you” as often as possible, especially to those who really deserve it.

Did you know that you can cite a thank you note? Just treat it like a personal letter! EasyBib tools can help you cite letters, books, websites, and more in MLA format, APA format, and Chicago Manual of Style, too. Check out our comprehensive guides on MLA parenthetical citations and how to do an annotated bibliography MLA while you visit, and, thank you!

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Still, they are pretty important in determining things like grades, class placements, and even graduate school admissions. Using these tips to overcome your test stress will leave you more confident in tackling whatever assessment comes your way. Here are a few tips to help!

Do you have a research paper due? Are you stressed about potentially being flagged for accidental plagiarism? Try the EasyBib Plus grammar and plagiarism checker for help reviewing your paper before you turn it in. While there, you can also read our grammar guides to brush up on the basics of verbs, pronouns, and other parts of speech.

Before the test:

1.     Establish a steady study routine

If you have a big exam, there is no better way to boost your confidence than to know without a doubt that you have a good grasp on the material. Make a study plan early and stick to it! It’ll help you make it through all of the content that will be on your test, leaving time for practice tests.

2.     Ask your instructors for help

Professors are often open to helping students before exams. They typically hold office hours or review sessions, and you can usually email them if you’re struggling with a concept. Asking for general advice for creating a focused study plan can be a good idea, too. Many schools often have special resources for bigger tests like the GRE or the MCAT as well.

3.     Take care of yourself

A big part of test performance has to do with how your body is feeling. This means that getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising are all practices that can help you on test day and reduce your anxieties.

4.     Practice mindfulness

If a test has you majorly stressed out, try practicing mindfulness. This means taking a moment before the exam to meditate, focusing on your body and clearing your mind. There are even many apps that you can download to help you incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine!

5.     Make sure you are prepared

The day before an exam, gather all of your materials and ensure that you know the exact testing location. Take a walk there if you have never been before, and become familiar with the environment. Organize everything you will need, like pens or a watch, and make sure that things like calculators have batteries and work correctly.

During the test:

6.     Think about time management.

Make sure you are pacing yourself during the exam. Often, students become stressed at the end of exams when they realize that they do not have enough time to finish answering every question. Keeping track of how much time you have throughout the exam will help you finish with fewer troubles.

7.     Keep water and gum nearby

Drinking or chewing on something during an exam can help to relieve stress. Water will help you stay hydrated and be refreshing, and gum can allow you to relieve some tension while you’re working.

8.     Take a break if necessary

If it is a long exam, such as a course final examination, you will probably have more time than you need to finish. If you feel yourself getting tired and need a break for a minute, go to the restroom or take a quick walk to re-energize.

9.     Check your work

Taking a moment to go back through your work can allow you to leave the exam with a clear picture of how you did, and it will ensure that you didn’t make any silly mistakes that you didn’t intend to make. Even if you only have five minutes, quickly skimming your answers can really help with post-test confidence.

After the test:

10.  Rest!

You’ve earned it! Even if you don’t feel that you did perfectly, it’s good to rest your body and not worry too much about the exam. If you really feel that the exam was really hard even after a lot of preparation, there could be a low mean score, making your relative performance better than you thought. Don’t stress, and be proud of the work that you put into the exam.

Test anxiety is normal, but don’t let it control you. Read through these tips before your big day, and use them to control your worries before, during, and after your exam.

For citation help, EasyBib.com should be your first stop! You’ll find help with MLA citation format, APA citations, creating an MLA annotated bibliography, and much more!

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