Three years of hard work have finally come to an end as seniors enter their last year of high school. Soon enough graduation will be here and they will be one last glorious step closer to what they have all been waiting for: the delicious taste of freedom and for many, college life.

However, even that seems so far away for seniors right now, as they prepare for the rigorous process of college applications while battling with what seems to be severe early cases of senioritis.

As the Cal States and UC application process begins, almost all seniors are scrambling to get their transcripts. Many are going through the meticulous editing process of personal statements, seeking letters of recommendations, and checking their ranking number and standardized test scores. Seniors are taking last minute test such as the SAT I and SAT II Subject tests as well as the ACT.

Some of the seniors had a head start on the applications by starting early, while most likely, the other half of the seniors will leave it until the very last minute.

Many students that think there is still plenty of time until Nov. 30th, the deadlines for UCs. However, Cal States with their two month application process which started on Oct. 1, determines their acceptances on a first-come first-serve basis.

Most seniors seem to be struggling through the application process, especially without guidance and someone to walk them through it. While the modern method of applying online tries to make it simpler, there is much to the process that seems to be ambiguous and complicated.

"It's just all so confusing, what school I want to go to and the whole process of college applications, like the whole online registration thing," said senior Colin McHenry.

While stressing about applications, the fear and anticipation of whether they will get into the college of their choice is evident especially in this very competitive class of 2008.

"Our year is so crazy. There really isn't any other year like ours, even some of the teachers say so. Everyone's just so competitive. I mean, have you seen our Honors Delphians list? Every year, all the names are in super small font and it's all condensed and long," said Sarun Soon.

Most colleges such as UCs require that you hold on to a 3.0 GPA or above. In the year where seniors are taking the most AP classes, it seems that keeping up with school work while stressing about college is strenuous.

Many students state that one of the most difficult parts about senior year is that while they want to go out and have fun during their last year of high school, there is still so much pressure on them to do well or even better than their peers. For others, the pressure lies in trying to meet their parent's expectations and goals rather than their own.

"They put a lot of pressure on what college they want me to go to. It's hard sometimes because they have such heavy expectations and sometimes I don't always agree with where they want me to be in the future," said Sean Ryozaki.

Although most of the seniors are feeling much angst due to the waiting process of getting into prestigious colleges and the need to get in, there are some who aren't part of this college mania. These students, most of whom have Santa Monica College (SMC) in mind, are headed into a different direction with different goals.

"I'm not feeling pressure at all. I guess it's because I know where I'm going to go and I don't feel like I need to go somewhere top notch. But that doesn't mean I'm going to slack off and blow off my senior year. I still want to do well and prepare myself for school next year," said Susie Kim who plans on going to SMC next year.

Until notifications from colleges come in next semester, the anxiety of college acceptances and rejection are just starting.

"College is everything, those next four years determine your whole life," said Andrew Sang.