Operation “Soaring Eagle” : Surviving Limbo

I understand that this post is not chronologically correct. The series has not gone past standardized tests yet. But this is something that many applicants are going through right now. So in a way, its important.

Link to Operation “Soaring Eagle” post index – Link to previous post

Strictly speaking, this post does not qualify as one under Operation “Soaring Eagle”. The series focuses mainly on how to apply to universities. This post, though, has more to do with one of the most mentally agonizing phases of your life.

The wait.

Ah yes, you don’t need to deny it. Ever since you clicked on ‘Submit’ at 11:59:59 on 31 December, you’ve been thinking about your application. In some cases, you’re thinking about it more than you did when you were actually applying. You might be anxiously checking the completeness of your application. Going through online application trackers. Sending mails to admission offices to receive an automated reply, followed by a human response, which may take anything from minutes to days. You’ve been daydreaming about your application. You’ve been daydreaming about how an applications officer might like it. You’ve also been daydreaming about your ‘top’ college. You might even have been dreaming in the proper sense of the word. You’re probably also going through alternating phases of depression and elation, as your hopes fluctuate like a sinusoidal wave. It’s almost periodic, the troughs and crests. But almost inevitable. You’re keeping track of decision dates on a calendar. Maybe two. Keeping track of admission blogs to keep yourself informed about new developments. You’ve been bothering your friends too. If you’re lucky, you’ll be talking to someone who sympathizes and understands your concerns, or you might be stuck with someone with a completely apathetic attitude towards your problems. You might be losing hair. Your daily schedule might be revolving around periodically checking your mail. You’ve got 30-45 days left.

And things can get hellish.

Luckily enough, there are several things you can do to keep yourself from losing your sanity. The very first thing is to realise that your top choice might not necessarily be within your reach, and in case you haven’t done a campus visit and/or a sample lecture or something, it might not be the best match for you. But since most of you will rubbish that claim, alternative solutions are required. There are a number of things you could do to restore a sense of normality. Get into a routine. Study. If you’ve got exams, set timetables and revise. If not, study anyway. It’ll aid to remove any lingering sense of guilt you might be harbouring. You can consider getting into an exercise regime. Keep yourself distracted. Work on your hobbies. Listen to music. Watch movies. Improve old skills. Discover new ones. Chat with your friends. Fall in love. (Correction: If you’re unlucky, your endeavors in this direction might lead you to a situation worse than your current predicament) This can be worse than limbo) Anything that’ll keep your mind off your app. Because limbo can have an  unimaginably damaging effect on your mind. It’s important to check yourself before things get out of hand.

Keep your hopes even. Try not to let them oscillate. Keeping your hopes high keeps you prepared for either possibility. You may use statistics to calm yourself down and your application hooks to buoy a depressed mind. But don’t overdo either, or the results won’t be pretty.

Breath in. Breath out. Repeat 3 times and close this windows/tab.