There are two things about me that I think are really important. The first is that I hate surprises and the second is that I hate to wait. I personally don’t like to think that I’m a “control freak” but, I do hate to lose control. Applying to grad school and waiting for results feels like the ultimate loss of control. Looking at gradcafe made me feel better for a little while but seeing people get results in real-time makes me anxious. I’m stuck in a limbo of waiting, anticipating, and overthinking.
Recently I had this realization that maybe waiting for results isn’t meant to be this awful. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t think waiting is meant to be a joy. But, I do believe that there are things that can occupy time while waiting for grad school results. Here are a few:
- Work towards solidifying plan B
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While waiting for grad school results I personally find comfort in working towards a solid backup plan. Don’t get me wrong–I want to get into grad school more than anything in the world–but preparing for the worst is practical and necessary.
- Over-do your school work
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I have the worst case of senioritis ever. Despite this, I think it’s important to keep your stamina up for grad school. The works get harder and there’s a high chance that school will still be online. It’s best to keep up your scholarly abilities and build stamina for later.
- Join a forum
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Joining a forum for my program on Gradcafe was an amazing experience. It’s important to remain anonymous on these websites and to take advice with a grain of salt, but it’s nice to vent and be understood by a group of people in the same situation as you.
- Do physical activities
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I personally love yoga. Creating a space where I can be mindful of myself outside of applications is really peaceful.
- Tackle your TBR
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Distracting yourself from constantly thinking about grad school important. Nurturing your mind and reading is also important. Why not kill two birds with one stone?
- Journal your experience
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Writing about grad school in my diary is very centering for me. When I talk about other people about grad school I feel like I’m holding back. But, writing for myself allows me to be as pathetic, scared, and excited as I want to be in that moment.
- Create a Vision Board for Your New Life
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Besides actually getting another degree I’m really excited about moving to another city and starting a new adventure. Creating a vision board filled with hopes and dreams about your new life is the perfect way to put positive energy into the world.
Hopefully, you get answers for grad school soon. But, in the meantime, I hope with these tips you are able to find peace and comfort soon.