an open letter to seniors

AN OPEN LETTER TO SENIORS: COLLEGE DECISION LETTERS

To a senior that is reading this right now,

The past couple of weeks have been really tough, haven’t they? On top of dealing with an insurmountable number of homework and tests, an overwhelming amount of personal drama (unless you’re not, and if so, good for you!), there’s the notion of finding out what schools you got into and where you might go. For some, this may be an easy decision, but for many, it could be a decision that would pivot you in the direction of where you want to go. And with that comes a heavy burden and lots of stress.

I’m sitting behind two seniors discussing college right now during Cougar Time. That’s how big of a topic this is for many of us. By the time you’ve read this, you have probably gotten a majority of your decision letters from a myriad of universities all over the country. That could obviously go both ways - negatively or positively. I’m writing this letter to you to address both sides. Here goes nothing.

If you got into your dream school, I just want to say the biggest congratulations to you! It’s clearly evident that you worked so hard towards achieving the best, and so here you are, reaping what you sow. I am so excited for you to traverse the abnormalities and the exciting aspects of college life, while navigating the paths of your future career and whatnot. This is not to say that everything will be peachy from here on out, as we all know that life isn’t always what it seems. That being said, however, you’re starting off on a great footing and that’s something you should be most certainly proud of.

If you didn’t get into a school of choice, or if you didn’t get into school at all, that’s fine. I definitely get how it feels to be rejected from the schools that you aspired to be a part of. I’ve been there. It’s hard to describe the sinking feeling from your stomach upon realizing that everything that you were hoping to nab with regards to a specific college of your dreams won’t be happening anytime soon. But if there’s any consolation, it’s that whatever happens, happens for a reason. If anything, you might be accepted to another school that may not be inherently better in your mind, but is a better fit for you not only on paper, but better for you as compared to your original school of choice. I’ve learned to accept that sometimes things may not go your way, and that’s completely okay. That’s life. We just have to make it through the speed bumps that we sometimes might even be aware of.

I also just wanted to say that gap years, or community college, is an option that you should definitely consider. In spite of the ongoing stigma against these choices, I sincerely believe that doing either of the options can not only help you, but motivate you to grow as a person, the same way you will when you’re in a university. Gap years give people the chance to further think about what they want to do, and who they want to be, without being pushed into a corner (or a major) that a person doesn’t want to be in when they’re at a university. The same thing goes for community college; it’s a lot more freeing to be able to just take a handful of general education courses while being given the opportunity to do something else in your free time. So, if you’re ever concerned about your future at a place you don’t see yourself in, definitely think about these options I’ve mentioned.

It might seem like I’m talking down to people. Believe me, I’m not. I’m going through the same things that you are. But I want to assure you that I will be here for you and will try and empathize with how you’re feeling with regards to your future, no matter what. I suppose this is my way of helping in a rational manner, and if it works for you, then I’m glad. If it doesn’t, again, it’s alright. That’s just the way it goes.

However, I really do hope things work out for you. I really do.

Best, Kariann