Pep Talk to High School Seniors
Midterm and finals season has begun. Some college decisions are coming and others are months away. Thoughts of the future and which college you’ll fit into swirl all around. I don’t know about you, but the anxiety and overwhelming nature of senior year has hit me. I decided that for this weeks post I would make a pep talk. In all honesty, this post is just as much for me as it is for you. Feel free to come back to this post whenever you need to restore peace and calm to your body.
To begin with, can we all discuss how emotionally involved the college process is? Let me tell you, it is not for the weak. Some people may already know where they are going, but for the rest of us, the waiting game is torture. Some are waiting as well as trying to decide where they see themselves. So, allow yourself to feel the emotions you need to feel. You are still strong even if this process is getting to you. Release comparison, this year may be easier for some and harder for others and that’s ok. You never know what is going through peoples minds. Be easy on yourself and be easy on others.
You have done enough and you have done all that you can do. Be proud of the work you have put in. You have completed 17-18 years of amazing accomplishments that should not go unnoticed. Stop overthinking applications you have already submitted. What’s done is done and you put your best foot forward at the time.
Trust that the universe has a plan for you and you will end up where you belong. Each piece of your life has a purpose and this too will. If a college does not want you, then why would you want them? If they reject you, they are doing you a favor. Admissions counselors review thousands of applications and are looking to see if they believe you will flourish in that environment. If you are denied, they believed you would be better suited somewhere else. You will go exactly where you need to go. A decision does not define you. It does not define if you have worked hard or not.
Also, celebrate the little wins! If you got in one place, guess what… you are going to college!! That’s amazing. Soak in how real it starts to feel. Let it be exciting instead of scary. We decide what emotion to prioritize, so prioritize peace and trust and excitement.
All will come in due time. Enjoy yourself now. Don’t let this precious time pass. Spend time with your friends and family and experience the joys of life instead of being hung up on decisions. Worrying will not reveal any information so you might as well ride through the journey.
This is not even a quarter of your life. It is not the end of the world. Not hearing from colleges or hearing something you don’t want to hear feels like the world exploded, but in time you will realize that it was just a blip in your path. Remember that if you don’t like where you end up, you can leave.
It’s ok to lack motivation. I start to feel lazy and then guilty about feeling this way. Why do we allow ourselves to feel guilty about feelings? A feeling is what you are experiencing. A feeling is a message from your brain and body. Let those messages run free and don’t feel bad. Instead, listen to what they are telling you. This process, this year, applications, exams, work, obligations, responsibilities, etc. it is a lot. Feeling like you want to cuddle up and do nothing is normal.
Of course workouts and relaxing helps, but one thing I love to do is put my phone away and go outside and just sit in the sun. Watching my dad play tennis is perfect because I can get outside, be without my phone, yet I don’t have to expel my own effort.