It’s the second week of the tournament and you've lost your shot at the $1 billion perfect bracket, but if you’re a high school senior you might be experiencing a more nerve-wracking March Madness—hearing back from the colleges you have applied to. Will you experience the elation of an underdog victory over a much higher seed (getting into your reach)? Will you be disappointed by an upset (getting rejected by a match or even a safety)? Until the game is played, you can only look at teams’ stats and your own to project a win or acceptance. Most schools have admissions notification deadlines of April 1st or early April, so by the time the Championship Game is played on April 6th you’ll likely know how your personal tournament has played out. In the meantime, here is my advice to make your March a little less maddening.
Cherish the Wins
As a college senior looking back on my own college application process four years ago, one of my biggest regrets is undervaluing my victories. During senior year of high school, my eye was on “the prize”—getting into the College of William and Mary, my dream school. I began getting acceptance letters from the eight other universities I applied to months before hearing anything from William and Mary. I was almost apathetic when I was accepted or given a scholarship by another university. Why should I get excited when I was favored to win these games? They didn’t carry the same weight William and Mary did—I was an underdog on that court. The day came when a letter signed in green ink (indicating acceptance) was delivered by my mailman. I was elated.
But guess what? I didn’t attend William and Mary. My high school work ethic led to an undefeated personal March Madness, but I let my sense of personal accomplishment hinge on 1 out of 9 victories. In the end, the victory from another game has had a greater effect on the direction my life has taken. I know my story is an extreme one but let it serve as a cautionary tale—cherish the wins, all the wins. If you allow them, the wins will mitigate the inevitable losses you will have in life.
Be Empowered by the Losses
This one is hard, really hard. After a season of successes and challenges a loss or denial, especially a crucial one, can be crushing. I realize this isn’t a new piece of advice. I could use a number of clichés to drive this point home but I prefer to use a different analogy. In most good sports or superhero movies the protagonist deals with doubt or a major setback right before he or she goes into a big game or a dangerous situation. This adversity leads to introspection and makes our hero or heroine more resilient. The character is no longer good at what they do—they exhibit mental prowess, are in peak physical shape, and their powers are stronger than they were at any other point in the film. Real life is much more complicated and less predictable than the plotline of one of these movies. However, viewing loss as a nurturer of future success will lead to victories. It’s difficult to move on to your next success if you’re dwelling on a past loss.
Take Off the Blinders
Don’t let your focus wane, but take off your blinders in order to consider the complexity of the decision and your range of options. Although William and Mary was my top choice, factors like financial aid and location ultimately made other schools better options. This month will be an emotional one, but don’t let your excitement or frustration supersede making a smart decision.
Similarly, don’t let disappointment affect your long-term outlook. You can take a different path than the one you originally envisioned and reach the same destination. One of my best friends was distraught her senior year of high school when she was rejected or waitlisted at many of her top choices. She ultimately attended a respected university she considered a safety. She is a paramount example of someone empowered by a loss. Four years later, she will begin her first year at a prestigious medical school along with another high school friend who went to a top 20 university.
by: Paige Witthar
