The Waiting is the Hardest Part

You made it! Your November 1st (and other early) applications have been submitted, and although there may be more to come, the big push is behind you. But now what?

In the fall, life for seniors is all about the hustle—from academics to community building like events under the Friday night lights, to those college applications. Every moment feels packed, and you’re driven by a clear list of things to check off: researching schools, completing the common application, writing prompts, decisions around those pesky scores, meeting deadlines. You focus on the tasks, feeling that little hit of accomplishment each time you check something off the list. But when that November 1st deadline finally passes, there’s a sudden shift. The hallways echo with sighs of relief. But then, reality kicks in: Now, you wait.

This waiting period can feel like the most difficult part of this process. You have controlled your application to this point, but now it’s in the readers’ hands. The process has been so task-driven that not having anything left to control can be… unsettling. You’re left wondering about your chances at those “reach” schools, and hoping for news from others. Your brain starts running through all the “what ifs,” and you’re no longer distracted by the flurry of applications. It’s natural to feel anxious, but there are ways to navigate this limbo with more peace and even a sense of excitement.

First, stay calm. Remind yourself that your hard work has already been submitted with care, and that you put your best self forward. Keep focusing on your academics, stay engaged with your classes, and check your portals to make sure everything is still on track. This wait doesn’t have to be all stress.

Stay connected. Think of this “in-between” time as a chance to dive into things you enjoy. Maybe you want to dig more deeply into a subject you love, chat with teachers about something new, or even take on a leadership role by mentoring younger students. It’s your time to finish your senior chapter in our community!

Stay on top of college updates. It's simple, but checking your email and portals can prevent a small oversight from becoming a big problem. Colleges sometimes request additional information, and you don’t want to miss out just because you didn’t check your inbox. And do you have other college applications to submit? Don’t take your foot off the gas - keep the momentum going so they’re ready when they need to be.

Don’t forget, your college counselors are here to help too. Whether it’s advice, a little encouragement, or just a place to talk things through, we’re here to support you. And when that first acceptance comes through, it’s absolutely a reason to celebrate! We can’t wait to celebrate with you, answer your questions, or simply listen.

Try to relax when you can. While the future might feel like a giant question mark right now, you can’t control everything that’s coming—and that’s okay. Visualizing where you’ll be next year can feel overwhelming, but remember, you’ve got this. The pandemic taught us that the future is unpredictable. Unless you’ve got a crystal ball, you’re going to have to wait now to know your next steps. 

So for now, try to enjoy this senior year, and let yourself breathe. Yes, waiting may be the hardest part of this process. But you’ve done everything you could. Take it day by day, knowing that you did an amazing job on those applications and that we’re right here, cheering you on every step of the way.