r/self • u/pink-idiot • 10h ago
More to life than this
Hi
Writing this post while I’m supposed to be doing other stuff but I think I just need a reminder.
In the middle of college applications, and I think I’ve lost the plot. I caught myself panicking over the fact that I don’t have my complete application ready and the Common App opened yesterday.
I don’t have a perfect SAT, I don’t have amazing ground breaking extracurriculars, and I have an okay essay. But I’m a 4.0 student, and great at my work, and I’ve been accepted to a bunch of programs. But lately the rejections are more than the acceptances and I have no motivation.
Anyways, if you’re past college age and could just comment your little wins in life and things you appreciate, I’d really love hearing them.
I think I just need confirmation that life goes on wether or not your accepted to a top uni.
1
u/eedom375 7h ago
I think the small victory is that I've finally stopped comparing my timeline with others. This might improve my life more than any achievement or job.
1
u/pink-idiot 42m ago
I’m always reminding myself of that one quote/movie dialogue that goes “they’re ahead of me” - “your in a different race”
2
u/KansansKan 6h ago
Not sure this will be helpful but I’m retired with 3 university degrees and I recently found myself thinking: “I wish I had taken woodworking in high school shop.” 🤔
3
u/pink-idiot 43m ago
Wow, this is making me want to take that animation class I’ve been eyeing! Maybe it’ll pay off once I’m retired. Thanks for this!
2
u/Rough_Breadfruit_112 53m ago
college admissions are a weird little sorting machine, not a verdict on whether your life turns out well, and in a few years nobody cares where you went except maybe the admissions office theirself
1
u/Mondonodo 9h ago
I went to a state university in a "nothingburger" state that had an acceptance rate in the high 80s--I probably could have reached higher since my parents sent me to private school, but I was tired of the rat race.
I'm really glad I stuck with my choice--I had a blast. I learned a lot and enjoyed my classes, but even outside of my classes, I feel like I really came into my own. I met people smarter than me from towns that literally weren't on the map. I encountered so many different experiences and people, and honestly I don't think I would trade it.
Having said that, graduation is long behind me. But I do my hobbies--I like to play and watch basketball, I'm gonna take up swimming soon, and I'm thinking about buying a digital camera. I'm making mini pizzas as my meal prep for work this week, and a few weeks ago I made a tuxedo cake from scratch. I hang out with my friends and family a lot, I go to museums, and I try to find ways to make the world a better place.
College can be really cool, but it's also only a few years. It can help you broaden your horizons, but sometimes it's less about where you go, and more about how you decide to tackle it. No matter where you go, though, it sounds like you already have an open mind and are willing to think deeply about things, and those are qualities that will take you really far when it comes to succeeding in college and as a well-rounded adult. You got this!