The anticipation of college decisions

Being a senior is a pivotal period in an adolescent's life. It marks the first of many major decisions they will have to make on their own. I am a senior at Moses Lake High School and this realization has been plaguing me since I first heard of the SAT. Where do I want to attend college? Do I want to play sports? Do I have the grades? Do I have the money or can I get financial aid? Are my SAT scores good enough? These are all the responsibilities a senior must face before they can begin the next chapter of their lives.

I have tried to be as laid-back about these tasks as possible, but I am beginning to feel the stress. My swim coach is steadily coaxing me into swimming in college, when I really want to play basketball. I could swim at a decent college and possibly get a scholarship. I have always had the dream, though, of playing basketball in college. The problem is, I don't know if I can play on a highly competitive team. However, doing so would not be best for my academic interests. That is another decision to make. Do I want to settle for a community college to play basketball and eventually transfer to a four-year university and focus on my studies? With deadlines for applications sneaking up, I have to make a permanent decision; which course to take.

All this stress makes a senior dread the process of choosing when it should be one of the most exciting times of one's life. I should be ecstatically filling out applications and sending college coaches videos.

My sister just went through these senior responsibilities last year. Eventually she made the decision to go to Western Washington University and be on the crewing team. I see now that she can't wait to meet new people, live in dorms and enjoy her new surroundings. She felt the same pressure and anxieties I am feeling, but tells me now that it was all worth it.

Her example makes me realize that once all the responsibilities of SAT's, grades, applications, and financial aid have been dealt with, I will be just like every other senior at graduation and throw my hat up with excitement for my new life. Whether I choose to go to play basketball at a community college, swim at a university, or go focus on my studies, I will have made my first life-altering decision on my own.

The realization that I am close to being an adult and ending my adolescence is intimidating to think about, but at the same time invigorating. I know now that, after four years of high school, when I receive my diploma on June 8, 2007, I can look back on my high school career and say, "I accomplished my goals and enjoyed every minute of it!"

Marielle McKean is an intern at the Columbia Basin Herald. Despite the stressful decisions ahead of her, she faces the maelstrom of the news room with steadfast calmness and a smile every morning.