Courtesy: Slate Magazine
Not too long ago, we were in the same boat. Anxiously waiting for that letter or email that would change your life for the next four years. For many, it was probably one of the most stressful times in their high school careers. Well now, four years later, you might be doing it all over again.
As some might know, graduate school applications for the Fall 2018 semester were sent out recently, and many of us are now in that frustrating interim between submitting the application and finally hearing back from the school. I know this period of time can cause you to become anxious, but I have some tips that might help you push through it and not turn into a puddle of nerves. Also, this list doesn’t just apply to those who are thinking about graduate school right after graduation, but those who apply later in life as well.
1. Don’t Slack Off
I know this is something we were all told when we were applying for undergrad, and I know senioritis hits some of us hard and you are only four months away from walking in that cap and gown, but graduate programs are still looking at your grades. Many schools require an official transcript after they make their decision, and you don’t want to show the school that accepted you that you just bombed your last four classes. So use your school work to distract yourself from refreshing that application status page and make a good impression.
2. Stay Away from Forums
One of the best things about the internet is the amount of information that it holds. You can find out anything with just a click of a button. That includes stats and commentary about other universities and from other graduate students. While these websites can be helpful, I suggest you go on them sparingly. Comparing your GPA or GRE scores with another student won’t make you feel any better, even if you find out yours is better than theirs. It’ll just cause you to fall down a rabbit hole of searching for other testimonies from other students, and if your scores don’t exactly match, it’ll cause you to stress out and panic. Admissions departments make their decisions on a variety of factors, and every individual student is different. While these forums are good for looking up information about your specific program or even a professor that teaches a course there, I advise that you don’t become addicted to these types of sites because in the end, you are all different people.
3. Stay Positive
I know that this one might be cheesy, but it really works. If you put out positive thoughts, then positive things will come back to you. Don’t fixate on things that are in the past, like your application, but think about the future. Refreshing the page and thinking about the things you think you did wrong won’t help you. Thinking about the things you did right and your passion for the school will! I know that some of us are “pessimists” or “realists” at heart, but just take a couple of minutes to think positively and maybe some good will come from it. So just relax and walk away from that computer and think about all the exciting and rewarding things you will come across at your new graduate school.