My high school senior writing students who are applying to colleges using the early decision and early action options have been logging onto Zoom for the past few days, one after the other.

I’m also working with dental applicants who are finishing time-pressed applications, along with law applicants who are striving to get their materials submitted as early as possible. Everyone is on a tight timeline right now, and I’m working especially hard since I’ll be leaving for Spain one week from today to lead the Story Circle Network Writing Workshop and Sightseeing Tour. All of these students hope to have everything submitted before I fly off to Madrid. The good news is that they will finish early; the bad news is that we’ve all been working long hours, multiple days per week, to make that deadline.

In this final week, my students and I are beginning to see real progress and feel a sense of pride. Our hard work is paying off, and the essays are emerging clearer, more confident, and more compelling than ever. That brings a mixture of relief and renewed energy to sprint to the finish line. I believe each of these students will end up at a wonderful school where they can pursue their dreams. That is an especially good feeling for me as their writing teacher and guide.

I feel happy to be included in this journey. It is a sweet and special time.