Being a high school student is already stressing but applying to colleges can amp the stress up.

Every year, high school seniors run the panic of applying to college—and survive. But when you’re in the middle of it, it is tough to not be stressed about it. Admissions experts say that, it’s typical for a student to begin the application process by the start of their senior year of high school. While some colleges may have different deadlines, most applications for regular fall admission will come due by December. It is always recommend that students start making a list of potential colleges, and get help from their school counselors and school community during their junior year of high school.

All the preparation that goes into applying to college will happen well before a student hits submit. That includes making a list of potential colleges, taking standardized tests, soliciting letters of recommendations, writing essays and making campus visits. With these materials and everything due, experts suggest students get to work over the summer of their senior year, warning that a late start could lead to a substandard application and harm their admissions odds.

Waiting to the last minute is probably not the most effective way to apply to colleges. It is not uncommon to prepare even earlier, and best time to get organized is during the summer because students don’t have high school overlapping. Summer is a good time to get organized and start on all their materials in preparation for deadlines.