It’s that time of the year when hopeful college applicants are nervously sweating at home waiting for admission results. For many, the most devastating thing happens — they didn’t get into their dream school. It’s always heartbreaking to have your dreams dashed. But is it the end of the world? Was all that hard work meant to be flushed down the drain? If you’re one of these college hopefuls who just found out they got rejected from their dream school, here’s what you can do.
Take time to process your feelings
TBH, Sadness in the Pixar movie Inside Out was an annoying character at first. Why did she have to mope all the time and why did she have to impose her emotions on Riley the human? But by the end of the film, we learned that you have to give your emotions the space it needs. Acknowledge you’re upset, cry if you need to. It’s part of the process of moving on and being emotionally healthy.
Acknowledge that you did your best
You worked absolutely hard over the past school year. You’ve earned your good grades and your accomplishments. However, some things aren’t in your control. Once you hand in that entrance exam or hit that “Submit” button, it’s out of your hands. But even if you lost the opportunity to get into your dream school, at least you can rest easy that you did your absolute best and that accounts for something.
Distract yourself
Frustration might manifest into horrible habits. Waking up late, not eating, distancing yourself from loved ones, not finding much joy in life, feeling like it’s the end of the world, you get the picture. Don’t let yourself slip away like this. Redirect your attention. Maybe you could channel your frustration into a hobby. Take up painting, go to the gym and punch the negative energy away. Hang out with your friends or watch a few episodes of your comfort series. All these things will remind you that it’s not the end of the road just yet. It’s just a temporary setback.
Know that rejection is part of life
The thing about being rejected is that you feel as if that moment will never pass. All you could think of is that you didn’t get into your dream school, which will define you forever. It’s the end of the world, right? Wrong. Learn to look past the rejection. That means acknowledging that, the world is still your oyster and there are so many opportunities out there for you. And if you’re hellbent on attending your dream university, you could even find ways to transfer after a semester.
Take a gap year
Taking a gap year is an option that isn’t often talked about in the Philippines. You could spend the time volunteering, traveling, taking online classes to hone your interests, or even taking up a job. And when it’s time to re-apply to your dream university again, you’ll be prepared for the application cycle.
Regroup and reframe
Once you’ve processed the fact that you might not get into your dream university, it’s time to think of your next steps. Onto Plan B! Surely you’ve tried other universities just in case, right? It’s time to get excited about other prospects. Reframe the situation from something negative into something positive. You might not get the life you imagined walking the campus of your dream school, but there is literally a world of possibilities out there. Who knows, you might find that another university fits you better.
Understand that your school shouldn’t define you
Sure, it sucks, but being rejected by your dream school isn’t going to be your life’s defining moment. Your self-worth shouldn’t be measured by a piece of paper or an email. Your future success is going to be because you worked hard and earned it, not because you graduated from <insert university.> You’re self-made!
You’re going to be okay
Although this was a stressful season, you’ve done a good job. You gave it your best shot. The most important thing to remember here is no matter what happens, you’re going to be okay. As cliche as it sounds, there’s truth to the adage “every rejection is a redirection”. So you got redirected. That’s okay. It might entail a longer route to your picture of success, but you’re heading in that direction anyway.
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