For those faithful readers of mine who tuned in last week to my column, you’ll remember that I discussed the college application process that I’m currently going through. This week I find it beneficial to focus on some of the advice I have been given regarding this process.

Having so much information to go through while having a set word count for my column means I have to skip my usual introduction, but what I can say is that these guiding tips have thoroughly helped my own college process run a lot smoother than it would have.

The whole college “thing” can be tricky, confusing, and at times very stressful, but the advice I am going to leave you with has made tackling it a lot less of a hassle.

Frequently touching base, to almost harassing the admissions offices of the schools that interest you is a great way for them to start keeping tabs on you. In every application and every supplement, there is only so much space for those reading your application to learn about you.

By contacting the admissions officers of the colleges you are applying to, and attacking them with questions, you confirm your interest in the school.

For the schools that I really wanted to go to, I talked to the admissions offices weekly. Admission counselors are smart, and they can tell who sincerely wants to be a prospective student, so a good impression and your curiosity will only increase your chances.

Homework sucks – most high school students will agree. With so much homework, it is a wonder how any high school student has time to finish all the extra essays that the colleges mandate us to write.

“Recycling” is a term coined by my own college counselor Susanna Cerasuolo and this concept effectively diminishes the gruesome load of writing.

Basically, a majority of college essay prompts can be quite similar, especially if you are applying to the same programs and majors at different schools, so reusing essays and parts of essays for different schools is an efficient way of completing all you need to do.

Countless essays of mine ended with the same conclusion: “and that is why one day, I will thank my alma mater (insert school)” – it really works.

So when I am questioned about being green, I can honestly state that I recycle quite often.

The last piece of advice I am leaving you with is typed up with a sense of hypocrisy, as my warning is something I struggle with most: procrastination – Don’t.

I’m a teenage guy, I will admit that I am easily distracted, but being organized and staying on task is essential for nailing the application process.

Last night I went through an internal struggle on the precedence of the UW application over the new episode of “Dexter” before it really occurred to me which one was more important (I chose the option that parents will be proud of).

For those of you who lack organizational skills and push deadlines, like me, working with a college counselor does keep you focused, but it can be pricey.

I hope after reading this, you keep in mind my advice and my procrastination warning. These tips really have helped me and I hope that if you put them to use, your application process will be as rewarding as mine has been.

Reporter intern Zach Shucklin is a senior at International Community School. Contact him at zshucklin@kirklandreporter.com