The Catalyst

All content by Francesca Dakin

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Mananging Editor
May 21, 2018
It was really stressful but actually taught me a lot about myself. I’m excited to move onto something bigger and pursue my education and meet new people, but i will miss NDB a lot. UCSB kind of. I will miss always talking to my family and friends about my life and unwinding with them, I’m really close to my family so I’m not ready to leave them. I would have started my college apps even sooner and spent more time achieving balance between my school work and personal life.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
May 21, 2018
The college process was well spread out for me because I started summer of my junior year. Though I will miss my friends Im very excited to see what is in store for me at college. I have heard back and been accepted to LMU and Chapman but I am not confirmed to any college yet. Im going to miss how much my friends and family make me feel respected, appreciated, and happy. I never tried taking the ACT and I think it would have been interesting to see what I wouldve gotten compared to the SAT.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
May 21, 2018
The college process for me was confusing and stressful but also a lot of fun getting to visit the colleges. I am very excited to end high school and get to branch out in College but Im going to miss my friends here at NDB. I have heard from a few of my top schools and I am super excited about them and I am still hearing back from a few more.
I’m going to miss the connection I have with my friends and family, along with my bed and puppies.
I would have done more research on my colleges and looked more at the East Coast.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Mananging Editor
May 21, 2018
The college process was pretty easy. I was able to figure out what I wanted in a school right away, so that really helped me decide where I wanted to apply.  Im excited to end high school but Im also sad that Ill be leaving all my friends and family when I go to college.  Yes, Ive heard back from most colleges and gotten in to all the schools at the top of my list.  Ill miss spending time with my friends and family every day and especially my dog. If I could redo the college process, I would apply to more reach schools because I could have gotten in to more if I tried.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
May 21, 2018
the college process has been a bit stressful but super fun at the same time. yes, i am super excited to end high school! I have heard back from a couple schools i am excited about but i am not ready to make a decision!  i will miss my family and friends and the familiarity of my neighborhood, but i am excited to learn about a new place.  i would have applied to more schools, if i could.

Annie Lawrence

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
May 3, 2018
The college process for me was pretty easy. Because I already had my mind set on attending either Gonzaga or LMU, it made my college process easier for me. I am so excited to end high school so I can start a new chapter in my life. I have been accepted into all 7 of the schools I applied to, and will be attending LMU in the fall!  I will miss the familiarity of home the most. If I could do anything differently through high school, I would have been more prepared for the SAT because having a good score is really important for the college application process.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
April 25, 2018
For me the college process was stressful yet very exciting. I started pretty early and got everything done before the early action deadline so I didn’t have stress out and focus on myself and my school work. I am very excited to start this new chapter in life and meet new people, but I will be very sad to say goodbye to my best friends.  Indiana University was one of my top schools and that is where I will be attending in the fall! I will miss the beautiful sunny weather and california and being able to drive anywhere i want. I will also miss being able to call up my best friends and hang out with them at any time. If I could have done anything differently in high school i would have got more involved. During the college process, i wish I didn’t stress so much because everything works out the way its suppose to.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
April 19, 2018
The college process was scary at first, but spacing out applications and working in advance helped a lot. It is bittersweet, but I am really excited to move on and meet new people. I am ready for a change, but I will truly miss Notre  and all my friends! Yes, I am going to Sonoma State and have been accepted. I will miss home cooked meals, my own shower, my family, seeing my friends every weekend, and my dog. I would not have done anything differently. I have made long lasting friendships throughout high school. I will always treasure them and my college applications went really well.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
April 19, 2018
The college process for me was fine. It was stressful but that was expected. But honestly it wasnt as hard as I thought it would be. Just had to finish it you know.  Yes I am excited to end high school. But its a bittersweet end. Yes I heard back from colleges I would like to go to.  I will miss the familiarity of home and of people I know. I would wish to do my academics differently. And apply myself more to my classes.

Seniors of NDB

francesca dakin, managing editor
April 13, 2018
The college process was stressful and felt like it took forever however was very rewarding at the end!  am excited to start a new chapter of my life however I’m going to be sad to leave all the people I’ve formed relationships with over the past four years. 
I got accepted to Cal Poly Slo and I am planning on going there. I will miss seeing all my friends and family and driving my car (I can’t bring it to college) and I will miss living at home where I don’t have to do as much on my own.  if I could do anything different I think I would have not stressed out as much about my grades and given myself more time to relax.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 26, 2018
The college process was not as stressful as I thought and just starting early really helped. I’m beyond excited to move on and leave high school. got into my top 2 school and committed to Oregon State University in January.  I will miss the food and having my friends right next door. Applied to more of the schools I originally had on my list.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 26, 2018
For me, the college process was very overwhelming and daunting at times. Writing supplemental essays and applying to 21 schools was a great personal accomplishment. Now, that my hard work is finally paying off, the whole process is very rewarding and I’m proud of everything that I’ve done throughout the college process and Highschool career. Yes, I am very excited. I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life and am ready to start focusing in on my major. I’m still waiting to hear back from some universities. But I’ve heard back from some of my tops, such as UC Davis and University of Washington. I’ll miss all of the friends that I made at Notre Dame, my mom/dad, dog, and my bed the most. I would’ve gotten a head start on it sooner and taken a practice ACT and SAT exam before jumping right into the real one. This would’ve given me an idea of which exam I would’ve better succeeded in.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 22, 2018
The college process wasn’t too bad for me because I had a private college counselor and she made me start writing my essays over the summer. When I started senior year I wasn’t as stressed as most people were about college which was great.I have mixed emotions about ending high school. I’m excited to meet new people and start fresh but I’m also really sad. I’ve become closer to my parents this year, so the thought of leaving them is really upsetting. I’ve heard back from lots of schools! As of right now my top two are Chapman University and Sonoma State. 4. I’m going to miss a lot of things when I leave for college. My parents, my home, my dog and cats, my friends, and my everyday routine in generalIf I had the ability to change my high school experience I would have like to be more involved in clubs and groups. If I could change my college process I would change how many schools I applied to. In total I applied to 29 which was WAY too much. I don’t recommend applying to that many.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 22, 2018
 The college process for me was extremely stressful. I am a very anxious person, and the idea of my future resting on the decisions of admission officers I had never met seemed frightening. The end of the process is extremely rewarding though, as I felt that I had truly reflected who I am as a person and put my heart and soul into my college applications.
2. I am very excited to end high school. High school has been extremely strenuous on me, and I am very happy for it to come to an end. I am a large proponent of everything happens for a reason, so I am excited to see friendships continue and blossom in college if they are meant to be. I have heard back from many schools I am looking at attending. Currently, I am set on attending UCLA, but I also love UCSB, UC Davis, and Fordham University. However, as of now, I am committed to attending UCLA, which I never thought I would be saying in my wildest dreams.I will miss the comfort of home, but I love a new challenge. My friends are hopefully going to remain in the same general vicinity of me, so we can go on road trips together and still bond. However, home has always been a constant in my life, so Im interested to see how the definition of the word changes as I go to college. I would have stopped doubting myself. I told myself I wouldnt get into any schools, so that I would be prepared for the worst, yet I have gotten accepted into 10/11 schools I applied to. I also didnt apply to as many reach schools as I originally wanted, as I was afraid of rejection. I have no regrets from high school. I dedicated myself to academics and extracurriculars. Theres a reason Im attending UCLA, which is that I worked my butt off and took every opportunity possible to involve myself. I am extremely proud of what I have overcome and how I worked in high school.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 22, 2018
“The college process for me was a lot of work, but I spaced it out well and I was really organized so it was not stressful. I really enjoyed researching each college to figure out where I would fit in best. I am excited to be on my own, meet new people, and experiencing new things to figure out what i truly love to do, not what others tell me to do. 
I’m super excited and it’s going to be a great experience. I’ve been looking forward going since freshman year. 
I’m scared to get home sick for the first time and be in a place I’m not familiar with as well as rooming with someone that I don’t know.”

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 15, 2018
Yeah, Im excited about college. For me the process was a little stressful because I wasnt really sure what schools I wanted to apply to and there were so many choices. The process was pretty easy once you started filling out all he applications. I am really excited to meet new people and learn new things.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 8, 2018
I really enjoyed my time at Notre Dame and although Im sad to be leaving, Im looking forward to the next chapter and to start college. The college application process was not as bad as a thought it would be, it was stressful at times thought, as long as you set a schedule on when you want to finish things and have good time management you should be fine. I will miss my family and friends and try to talk to them and visit as much as I can and I hope they visit too. Im excited to experience more things, learn and make new memories!

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 1, 2018
College wise, I already received one offer from my EA, but I’m still waiting on all the other schools to release their decisions. I’m really excited to see where I will go finally, but at the same time I try to appreciate my time with my family and my dog since I will be leaving in five months. As seniors, we are now in our final homestretch; though I have mixed feelings about the coming AP tests and graduation, I hope that we can all make life-long fun memories in the last three month at Notre Dame!

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 1, 2018
The college process has been pretty overwhelming, and Im so glad to almost be done with it. Im really excited to experience the independence that comes with college, but Im sad to be separated from the great friends Ive made at Notre Dame and the teachers that have helped me along the way.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 1, 2018
The college process has been pretty intense. I have been through a lot of ups and downs but I am so thankful for the support system that I have at school and home. All in all, I am excited to hear back in March from most of my schools and I am excited to find out my path for next year.I am a little scared to leave high school, because I am essentially leaving everything that I know and am comfortable with. However, I know I will make the right decision for myself and wherever I end up I will prosper because Notre Dame has prepared me.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 1, 2018
I dont know where I am going to college next year, but I am excited because I am still waiting to hear back from many schools. I am excited to leave home, but I will definitely miss home and the people in high school. College is going to be great, but I am scared about what to do after college.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 1, 2018
Thinking about college now, coming to the end of my senior year, Im looking forward to creating new experiences more than anything else. I dont want to live in fear knowing Ill be away from my family and friends that Ive created relationships with throughout the years. I want to see this as a new door opening in my life that will aide me in growth to become an independent individual in the world. Im nervous in thought by the idea of being on my own in starting from the beginning, but Im not scared. If I did choose to live in fear, I know itd be holding me back from being able to learn and would hurt me more than anything else. Therefore, I choose to not dwell on the possible negative outcomes, but to look forward to what lies ahead in a positive light.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
March 1, 2018
I am excited for college and to be starting a new chapter of my life. I am going to miss the Bay Area and seeing my friends everyday.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
February 16, 2018
“College applications are only stressful if you make them stressful; start your applications during the summer and plan to complete and submit them a few days before they are due because it will alleviate stress and you’ll avoid College Board’s site crashing. I completed all 11 of my applications a few days before the November 1st deadline, which is probably the best thing I could have done; my stress levels were much lower during the application period compared to most of my classmates. As of right now I have 5 acceptances and I am still waiting for 4 more, and I am really excited to decide where I will be attending for the next four years.”

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
February 16, 2018
This semester has been both fun and difficult what with college letters coming in. So far Ive gotten into Saint Marys and Loyola Marymount University and Im waiting on more to come. Wherever I get into (or dont) I think its important to remember its about my own education and not the schools name. Im excited to see where me and my friends will go as the spring progresses.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
February 16, 2018
The college application process has sparked many emotions: stress, anxiety, nervousness, and excitement. People have told me the hard part is applying to college, but for me, the hardest part is waiting. I have applied to eleven schools and am currently waiting for responses. Of course, I have my dream schools, but despite where I end up, I know that everything happens for a reason. I am grateful for the fact that I am able to attend a university and continue my education for the next four years.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
February 16, 2018
I got into eight schools and im waiting to hear back from a couple more. Im so excited about all the schools I got into, and cant wait to visit and see where Ill go! The whole college process has been very stressful, but paid off so much once I heard back from schools.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
February 16, 2018
 loved visiting my cousin in college, it was a great chance to see what college is like from the perspective of someone who actually goes there. And I am super excited to leave but I am also very nervous. I am very close to my family. I will really miss being able to talk to my mom all the time.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
February 16, 2018
Im attending FIDM (Fashion Insitute of Design and Merchandising) which is based directly the heart of Los Angles. Im super excited to be attending an art based college. Because its not like a traditional college application, I had to create a portfolio and do an entrance project which was very stressful because the school only gave me two weeks to complete it. But overall Im so excited to be leaving home and adventuring out on my own in a big city.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
February 16, 2018
I’m currently very indifferent about anything college related. I’m excited because I know it’ll be a big step in my life but I’m nervous and sad because I’ll be away from my family.

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
February 16, 2018
This year I am most excited for is finishing college applications and not having to worry about it during second semester of senior year. I am also excited for our final Aquacades that is coming up and I really want the seniors to win this year!

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
November 28, 2017

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
November 17, 2017
“It’s been good so far. I’m kind of going into it blind even though teachers and counselors have been helping. It’s just a lot of stuff I’m figuring out because I’m the oldest child in my family and I don’t have an example. So, my parents and I are doing a lot of research and all of our questions are getting answered. But so far so good, I’m really excited to apply and hear back from colleges and to see where I’m going and I can’t wait!”

Seniors of NDB

Francesca Dakin, Managing Editor
November 16, 2017
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