Take this advice if you want to make the wait as nerve-wracking as possible
Photo via oklahoman.com.
With the end of the semester in sight, many graduating students are looking forward to some hard earned time off, whether that means visiting family and friends, hitting the beach, or just zoning out at the TV for a month or four. Others, however, can’t wait to do it all again next year — this time at the graduate level.
Does this sound like you? And if it does, have your friends started getting their offers, while your inbox is still looking empty and a little sad? Here are five ways to pass the time while you wait.
Check your email obsessively
Ever heard that old adage, “a watched pot never boils?” No? Me neither. To make sure you minimize time spent enjoying the last stretch of your undergrad, keep your email open and in front of you at all times. You wouldn’t want to miss anything.
Bonus points if you can work in a glance at your email every few minutes while you’re supposed to be doing other things — like working on final projects, studying for exams, going to classes, or socializing. Your friends and professors will agree: this is a surefire way to manifest an offer.
Double down
It’s possible that, after only one application, the admissions team won’t realize how great a candidate you are for the program of your dreams. To prevent this, you can maximize your chances of making a good impression by sending weekly — or daily — emails, explaining why you deserve to be admitted. Take it from me, this can only help your chances.
Compare, compare, compare
Everyone knows that comparing yourself to others is the best way to make yourself feel better. Especially in university, where academic achievement is never tied to self worth. While waiting for your acceptance letter, it’s a really good idea to ask all your grad school-bound friends if they’ve heard back from their programs yet.
If they have, spend as much time as possible wondering why they were already accepted while you are still waiting. And if they haven’t, tell them that that’s weird and wait for them to join you on your spiral. Friends stick together.
Don’t prepare for the worst
Nobody likes to think that they won’t make the cut — so, don’t. Convince yourself that you’re guaranteed to get in, and make sure you bring this up around your friends as frequently as possible. That way, when you do get in, they won’t feel so bad about you leaving.
This also makes sure that, if you aren’t accepted, it comes as a total surprise to you and hits twice as hard.
Doom scroll on Reddit
Reddit is, famously, the best place to go when you’re feeling uncertain or unsure about major life decisions. No matter the subject, the people of Reddit are always sunny and full of optimism. As everyone knows, they never have any harrowing experiences or depressing personal insights they’re just aching to share.
If you’re worried about your chances — definitely pay r/GradSchool a visit, and soak up all the pessimism you find there.
