Throughout DS’ high school career, I made a point of telling him that high school is about high school – its purpose is not simply to produce credentials for college admission (although that is a by-product of the system.) He embraced this (even when it was sort of freaking me out!). It’s an important life skill to be present – it’s really easy to be absorbed with the past or the future – so try to encourage her to focus on her friends, her activities, the things she can control. March 30 will be here in no time. She’ll be moving into her dorm in no time. High school will be over in no time. Enjoy it because you won’t do it again!
Maybe the two of you could create a fun (joint) daily journal in which you keep track of what you’re grateful for (and what you won’t miss a bit) about these last months of high school. It’ll be a fun keepsake later and perhaps a good way to pass this stressful time.
Looking forward to reading your good news in less than two months!
DS is cleaning his room as we speak. I mean serious, nervous energy, spring cleaning. It’s a joy to behold but I know that it’s a result of not having any acceptances. (He has great in-state safeties but his heart is on getting into an LAC.)
First term finals were just a week ago, he applied to several Jan 15 deadline schools, and for this past week he’s been focused on getting some things started on his senior project. So today was the first Saturday in ages that he didn’t have something to distract him. I’m hoping I can use the wait to get my car washed a few times before the first acceptances roll in!
I convinced her to go to a concert with her friends last night and they had a sleepover after. When I picked her up this morning she seemed better and she made plans to go out again tonight. I don’t generally like her going out every weekend night, but I said “sure.” We are all going out to dinner with family and then she’ll meet up with her friends. She’s upstairs now laughing with her cousin. Fingers crossed we are over the hump.
I’m glad things are going better. I will say though for my son having that rolling admission safety admission by October was a real sanity saver and I keep telling all his sister’s friends parents (she’s a junior) at how much easier that made a very emotional year. It’s not even just the pressure they feel it’s the constant reminders at school and EVERYONE asking them where they are going to school even though most don’t know yet. Knowing that someone wants them also makes the hurt of deferrrals and denials less.