The fall months of senior year of high school are an exciting time. You finally realize that you are almost done with high school. You try to ignore the Senior-itis until at least after winter break. You have your last homecoming. Then Thanksgiving comes, and what does everyone ask you? So, what are your plans for college? You’re just trying to enjoy your meal, but everyone just keeps asking. What schools have you applied to? Have you gotten accepted yet? Breathe.
As exciting as applying for colleges can be, waiting to hear back is difficult. I remember I checked my email first thing every morning, and the mailbox as soon as I got home from school, hoping to hear word from the colleges I had applied to. Even though the wait may seem like an eternity, you’ve got this! Here are some tips for what to do in the meantime.
Spend Time with Friends. Go see a movie, grab some food from your favorite spot, or just hang out at home. The only rule? Don’t talk about college. This time of year, it seemed to me like all anyone ever talked about was college. My friends who had applied Early Decision and already knew they were accepted constantly chatted away about college life… and I didn’t even know if I had gotten in yet! Make it a game: the first one to bring up college has to buy everyone coffee.
Get in the Holiday Spirit. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Put your worries aside and get in the holiday spirit. Bake or cook with family, make holiday cards or gifts for loved ones, or put on your favorite holiday music or movies. Who has time to stress when it’s almost winter break?
Work on your Hobby… or Start a New One! One of my favorite distractions is baking. While I was waiting to hear back from colleges, I think I made five or six pies. Not into baking? Try exercising, reading a new book (or an old favorite), painting, knitting, yoga, scrapbooking (pro tip: scrapbooks make great graduation gifts for the spring), origami, hiking, puzzles, or anything else that helps you relax and feel good about yourself. Keeping busy will help you avoid worrying about college acceptances.
Spend Time with Pets. Studies show that petting animals releases oxytocin, lowers heart rate, and lowers blood pressure. Basically, petting animals makes us happy and calms us down! How can you argue with that science? Cuddle up with your pet for a nice break from the stress of senior year.
Find Some Time to Relax. Whether relaxing for you is spending the day in sweatpants watching Netflix, or practicing yoga, or drinking tea and doing face masks with friends, find some time for yourself! School can be stressful, and the fall of senior year be even more overwhelming. Take a day off, and find some inner peace!
Take a Walk. There’s nothing like a peaceful walk to help clear your head. Go alone or bring a friend or family member, and enjoy some fresh air. However, make sure you bundle up if its cold there like it is here in Rochester!
Remember that Everything Happens for a Reason. I know, I know, it sounds cliche – but I’m a firm believer that everything that is meant to happen will happen. If it doesn’t happen, then that just means something better awaits. College acceptances may seem like everything right now, but trust me, they’re not.
Stay Positive! It’s easy to doubt yourself after applying to colleges. Even if you feel super confident, you might start to feel less sure of yourself the longer you wait to hear back. Believe in yourself! You have done the best you can do, and the situation is out of your hands. Don’t assume the worst, stay positive!