It’s finally that dreaded time of year. Many seniors are either already committed to colleges or just starting to receive acceptance or rejection letters. This is a stressful time for many seniors as they are making a big decision that dictates where they will be spending the next few years of their lives. More than that, some seniors may not get the letter they were hoping to receive. Here’s how to cope with the stress you may be feeling during this difficult time.

While waiting for college decisions to roll in, students have a lot of free time to think and stress. Especially with the COVID pandemic limiting activities, there are not as many distractions in our lives. An easy way to distract yourself is to pick up a new hobby such as drawing, painting, reading, or exercising. Or maybe you can just start watching a new tv show. 

Senior Esme Ortiz has a more positive spin on dealing with the stress of covid and college. 

“What this pandemic has given me, as a senior during the college application process, is time to think about the future and what I want to do without outside distractions. I learned to cope with the stress with time. I would recommend the rising seniors to organize their schedules, but most importantly to not be too hard on themselves. It is so easy to get caught up in the stress and to get overwhelmed. But you should remember that this is such an exciting time, you are deciding your future– you have been working so hard for so long, this is the home stretch!!!” said Ortiz. 

If you receive a rejection letter, it is okay to be upset. Allow yourself time to grieve and process the loss of a college you may have really wanted to go to. However, it is important to know that a rejection letter is not a reflection of you or the hard work you have done throughout high school. It is merely redirection and will lead you to a school that is better suited for you.  

This is a time where it is especially important to be there for your friends. Reaching out and asking how they are doing or asking to get lunch or coffee, can make all the difference. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for help or comfort, your friends and family are here for you and understand the stress brought upon you during this time. 

Overall, it is important to not let the stress catch up to you. Everyone has worked extremely hard to get to where they are now and your hard work is finally paying off. Leave time to relax and do the things you enjoy.