It’s been almost a year since COVID-19 disrupted our normal routines.

“I’m just happy to be in school, in person,” said Alice Fox, a senior at Lake George High School.

After graduation, she plans on studying business. So visits to her guidance counselor, Steve Preuss, are common. He says there hasn’t been a school year quite like this one.

“We’re hearing about heightened anxiety and higher stress levels,” he said. “I believe the change in routines, the loss of support structure, has impacted students across the spectrum.”

Fortunately, Preuss has been able to work with students like Fox face-to-face. She’s applied mainly to SUNY schools and the University of Vermont.

“I did a few virtual tours. But it’s just not the same,” she said.

The pandemic has also led to changes to the actual application, including an optional SAT test. Fox worked with a tutor to prepare for it.

“I had scheduled it five times, and every time, it got canceled,” she said. “In the beginning, that was really stressful.”

Fox was also worried that a lack of involvement with extracurricular activities due to the pandemic would be a red flag on her applications.

“There was a part where you got to talk about your COVID experience,” she said. “It sounds like colleges really want to know how it’s affected you.”

The pandemic has not stopped Fox from applying to college, but according to Common App, a popular college application tool students use, the number of U.S. applicants has dropped by about four percent.

“I’ve been really encouraging my students to keep their dreams alive,” said Preuss. “This coronavirus is not permanent.”

Preuss says some students are even considering taking a semester off.

“What’s the state of their college experience going to look like for them next year?” he said. “Is it going to be virtual, is it going to be in person?"

Fox says she’s still weighing her options as she awaits acceptance letters. In the meantime, she says positivity is key.

“Don’t stress too much. Enjoy your senior year,” she said. “It always works out in the end.”