By MICHELLE ADAMS / Community Columnist
Where are my friends going? Is there a program for my field of study? What are my options for housing?  How can I afford this? All these questions are considerations for students attempting to apply for college, a process that can be stressful and grueling.
Alabama College Application Week, sponsored by the Alabama Department of Education and Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development, is a week focused on the application process and alleviating much of the stress associated with it.
Locally supported by the University of Montevallo’s Blueprints Service Learning Program, Montevallo High School seniors participated in completing an application, submitting transcripts, applying for a FAFSA pin and receiving help on admission or scholarship essays.
“Participating students get hands-on help with what often seems like an intimidating process,” MHS counselor Cheryl Allen said. “Participation also ensures that any supplemental documents or applications are completed and submitted on time. For many students who would be the first in their immediate family to attend college, it is important for them to know that college is an attainable and worthwhile goal for any student who desires to pursue it.”
To generate excitement for the week, classroom doors have been decorated to indicate teachers’ alma maters. In addition to door decorations, students and teachers wore apparel signifying their college of choice on “College Pride Day.”
Some students don’t have anyone around them who has gone through the application process, so applying for college can be overwhelming. This week’s focus on applying for college can help students meet the challenges of the process and support them in taking the necessary steps to continue their education.
“The overall goal is to help seniors take that first step in pursuing their post-secondary education,” Allen said.  “Helping them to actually complete the application can ease the anxiety of the process, and once a student receives that first acceptance letter, he or she feels more empowered and confident in making the decision whether or not to go to college.”