Some of the toughest moments—

Receiving a letter of deferral or rejection, but remember to stay open to different college options

I think one of the hardest parts about this time of year was watching friends receive early acceptance letters. Many of my friends had decided to apply early decision, so by December they knew where they would be going to college. Those of us who had not applied early decision were jealous and felt unsettled. We would have to wait for another four months to hear from colleges.

I do not, however, regret my decision to wait it out. Since I had not fallen in love with one particular school, I was willing to be patient. The difference of waiting several extra months is definitely worth it if you are not positive about where you want to go to school.

Some of the toughest moments can arise when you or a close friend might receive a letter of either deferral or rejection. After envisioning yourself in one school environment, it is hard to believe that you might not end up there. I encourage you to stay open to different options. What you look for in a college can change over time, and after a few months of your senior year, your priorities might change. Keep in mind that what caught your attention during college trips last year might not appeal to you as much anymore, and one school that you might have overlooked might have much to offer.

Surprises can certainly spring up along the way. Scholarships are a very pleasant surprise. You might check the mail one day and find a small scholarship being offered to you, or you might receive an invitation to interview at a scholarship finalist weekend. These surprises serve as encouragement in the college process. You will begin to realize that it’s not just you hoping to get into a particular college; many colleges are hoping that you will pick them.

Lastly, the best advice I can give is to RELAX. This is obviously much easier said than done; however, the college process is much more manageable if you try to maintain a positive (and flexible) outlook. There is more than one school out there that is right for you. Don’t let one upset get you (or your friends) down. And enjoy senior year! Stressing about college takes away the fun of your last year of high school.