How to Survive College Rejections 101

As decision season looms upon our Valencia Viking Seniors, rejection is the unfortunate surprise waiting for many. However, with a little bit of mental preparation and a perspective change, opening college decision portals don’t have to be a stressful nightmare!

1. Open admission decisions with your number ones.

Admission decisions, whether they are acceptances or not, are an emotional experience, so make sure to open them with people who you know will support you through the experience. This can include parents, siblings, family friends, or, if possible, close friends! Surrounding yourself with those you love and trust will ensure that you will have encouragement, whether the news is ideal or not.

2. Focus on your own decisions, rejections or not, and not your peers.

Comparison is the sole stealer of joy. It’s essential that you learn to not compare your rejections to your peer’s acceptances, as hard as it may be. Through a realistic lens, you must understand that everyone gets rejected somewhere, so your feelings are universal. All you can focus on is your admission decisions and what you plan on doing moving forward.

3. You are your own cheerleader!

Rejections hurt, bottom line, and those feelings are valid. However, don’t let them hold you back from taking other opportunities! Be understanding with yourself and give grace because you did your best throughout the application process and deserve that recognition. Your value does not depend on whether or not you got into a school. 

4. Switch the growth mindset on.

Your mindset affects how you view your rejections. Through a growth mindset, you can learn to see this as an opportunity to learn about yourself and your abilities. Don’t let any rejection, college and beyond, define who you are: when one door closes, another one opens.

5. You’re not dead!

College is important, but it is not the end of the world! It does not determine your worth or constitute your future successes. There are other pathways to achieve your dream, you just have to go out there and grab them! Even though there might be stigma surrounding it at this point in your high school career, community college is not a bad route!

Although this season is filled with anxiety and anticipation, it is also filled with many  possibilities for a bright future. There are so many ways to be successful without even going to college at all. Even if the direction of life does not exactly align with what is planned, a different path is not a bad one; it is just redirection to something potentially even better!