You are a senior in high school. Letters from prospective colleges and universities fill your mailbox on a day to day basis. The letters continue to be downfalls and upsets. Rejections cause insomnia and anxiety. With each letter, no one has been hopeful. Your future is scary and your mind is depressed.
Do not fear. There will always be hope. Rejection can only make you a better person and help you learn. After all, the application process is only a learning experience. First and foremost, do not take the rejection personally. Sure, you can blame it on your SAT score or that one stubborn biology teacher who ruined your grade point average. However, there are many circumstances and there is a method to the madness. You are not alone in the rejection process and something good will come.
Many famous people are where they are today because of college rejection. Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television. The school rejected him three times. Television anchor Katie Couric was rejected from Smith College, her dream school. Entrepreneur Ted Turner was rejected from both Princeton and Harvard. Instead, he worked for his father’s billboard company, which is now CNN. Half of one of the most famous duos, Art Garfunkel was rejected by Harvard College. He then continued his studies at Columbia University and met Paul Simon. Television host Meredith Vieira was rejected from Harvard. She went to Tufts University instead and met a mentor who encouraged her to enter journalism. There are many success stories from rejection. And above all, the only person who loses is the one who rejected the success.
Stay positive. You are your own success story. You have other options. There is nothing wrong with taking a year off to enter the working world or travel. Attend a local community college and prove your academic success. Then, apply to your dream school again. That one year can change an entire outlook.
If the rejection letter still has you down, remember that college is not for everyone. Your friends and family may be encouraging you to go to school for various reasons, but remember that only you can control your own destiny. Some people want to enter the working world and succeed with a family and in other areas of life. Do what works for you. Sure, rejection hurts, but there will always be a silver lining.
Do not dwell on the downfall. Talk to your school counselors, teachers, parents, or anyone you trust. Voice your hurt and depression. They can help point out your strong points and options. If you do not want to discuss it with your friends, then ignore the topic. However, still spend time with your friends. Get out and enjoy the world. You will never be able to relive your senior year of high school, enjoy it. Be happy that you had the opportunity to try instead of the depression of failure. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you.
Rejections are painful, but toss those letters aside and took to better options for your future. For more information on getting the most out of the college experience and for guidance on all things college-related, read the articles listed below.
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