Senior year is an exciting time full of new beginnings, but for many pre-collegiettes, it can be a blur of applications, essays and recommendation letters. With your early action and/or early decision applications sent in, you can breathe a sigh of relief that the first part of the application process is over. Now, after months of hard work and determination, it’s time to take a step back and give yourself a much-needed break! Before you start worrying about those acceptance letters, be sure to congratulate yourself. Here are seven ways to celebrate this important milestone.
1. Have a girls’ night in
Spend some time with your best friends, middle school style! You’ll all be off to different colleges in less than a year, so bonding with your girlfriends now is more important than ever. De-stress and let off some steam by doing some classic slumber party activities: baking, watching movies, eating tons of junk food and playing games like “truth or dare” and “never have I ever.” Stay up all night talking and spend some quality time with your favorite girls!
2. Go out to dinner with your family
Senior year can be all about spending time with your friends before graduation, but don’t forget about the people who got you where you are today! No one is prouder of you than your family, and it’s important to spend time with them now before you head off on your own next year.
Alexa Phillips, a senior at the University of Delaware, says that she and her family are very close and celebrated her achievement by going out to eat together. “Monumental events like this are important to my family, especially because I’m the oldest,” she says. “We always celebrate by going out to dinner together.”
Going out to a celebratory family dinner is a great way to not only celebrate your accomplishment, but also to show your appreciation for the people who have helped you through the process!
3. Have a spa day
All that typing away for your college essays has probably wreaked havoc on your nails—at least, that can be your excuse for giving yourself a mani/pedi! Take some time to pamper yourself by doing a DIY spa day. Facials, manicures and relaxing baths are all simple treatments you can do at home, so lay back and enjoy the relaxation!
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4. Change up your look
College is all about getting a fresh start, but why not start now? Whether it’s taking the plunge and trying out a new haircut or color or simply experimenting with some fun fall makeup trends, tweaking your look can give you a major boost of confidence. Put your best foot forward by giving yourself a new look!
5. Grab some froyo with your girlfriends
You all deserve a treat, and there’s nothing that satisfies a collegiette’s sweet tooth quite like froyo! Going out for frozen yogurt with your friends is a fun (and inexpensive) way to give yourselves a reward for all the hard work you put into your applications.
“I went out for celebratory ice cream with a bunch of my friends on the day all acceptance letters were in,” says Emily Maggio, a junior at Quinnipiac University. All of your friends are probably feeling the same stress you are, and relaxing with each other over a frosty treat is a fun and simple way to get your mind off applications.
6. Buy yourself a present
Have you been eyeing an adorable statement necklace? Lusting after those boots that would be a perfect addition to your fall wardrobe? Now is the time to splurge! Reward yourself for all of your hard work by buying yourself something to remember the moment by.
7. Go to an all-you-can-eat buffet with friends
Combine two of the best things ever—friends and food—by going to an all-you-can-eat buffet with your friends. “On November 1st, me and my friends sported all our college gear and ate WAY too much tikka masala at our favorite all-you-can-eat Indian restaurant,” says Kelsey Mulvey, a senior at Boston University. “Definitely a fun way to celebrate a couple of stressful months!”
Sending in your college applications is a huge accomplishment and an important step towards your future. Whether you choose to relax with girlfriends, celebrate with your family or treat yourself to a present, now is the time to celebrate everything you’ve accomplished!