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How to let go after submitting college applications?
How do I let go after submitting my college applications? I'm so stressed about them but there's nothing left to do except apply to scholarships (most of which should be need based from the actual school I choose). There's nothing left to worry about but I'm more stressed than when I was applying.
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Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Jocelyn 👋🏻...
Letting go after you hit “submit” feels strangely harder than writing the essays.
When I finished my applications, I expected relief. Instead, my brain kept replaying every sentence like a movie I couldn’t pause It took me a while to realize the stress wasn’t about the application anymore it was about the silence that comes after.
What helped was treating the waiting period like a transition, not a void.
Once the application leaves your hands, the story shifts from performance mode to maintenance mode. That means building a routine that reminds your brain you’re not stuck you’re preparing for the version of you who will open that acceptance email months from now.
Two things make this easier.
First, replace the anxious “waiting time” with something that grows you: a small project, a new habit, or a class you actually enjoy. Your mind needs somewhere healthier to land.
Second, set a rule for yourself: no reopening essays, no rethinking choices, no obsessing over what you “should have said.” That door is closed, and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.
The stress isn’t a sign that you messed up, it’s a sign that you care.
And caring is fine, as long as you don’t let it freeze your life.
Treat this chapter as practice for adulthood: doing your best, releasing control, and moving forward even when the outcome isn’t in your hands yet.
This period can feel long, but it’s also where you get to breathe again, rebuild your energy, and become ready for whatever comes next.
Letting go after you hit “submit” feels strangely harder than writing the essays.
When I finished my applications, I expected relief. Instead, my brain kept replaying every sentence like a movie I couldn’t pause It took me a while to realize the stress wasn’t about the application anymore it was about the silence that comes after.
What helped was treating the waiting period like a transition, not a void.
Once the application leaves your hands, the story shifts from performance mode to maintenance mode. That means building a routine that reminds your brain you’re not stuck you’re preparing for the version of you who will open that acceptance email months from now.
Two things make this easier.
First, replace the anxious “waiting time” with something that grows you: a small project, a new habit, or a class you actually enjoy. Your mind needs somewhere healthier to land.
Second, set a rule for yourself: no reopening essays, no rethinking choices, no obsessing over what you “should have said.” That door is closed, and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.
The stress isn’t a sign that you messed up, it’s a sign that you care.
And caring is fine, as long as you don’t let it freeze your life.
Treat this chapter as practice for adulthood: doing your best, releasing control, and moving forward even when the outcome isn’t in your hands yet.
This period can feel long, but it’s also where you get to breathe again, rebuild your energy, and become ready for whatever comes next.
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Start by recognizing how you feel and remember that worrying won’t change anything. Focus on what you can control. Use simple tools like deep breathing, a quick body scan, or journaling to calm your mind. Don’t let worries take over, train yourself to guide your thoughts instead. Keep telling yourself that everything will be okay and that you will achieve what you wish for. Pray regularly to find peace and clarity and stay busy with work or activities that matter to you.
Physical activity, like walking, yoga, dancing, or other exercise, helps reduce stress and takes your mind off worries. Reading fiction can also be a great way to relax, escape, and recharge your mind. Reframe negative thoughts with positive ones, like “I did my best, and the rest is up to God,” to ease your mind. Celebrate small wins each day to give your thoughts something positive to focus on. Maintain a healthy routine with regular sleep, a balanced and nutritious diet, sunlight, and limited screen time at night to support your emotional and physical well-being.
Physical activity, like walking, yoga, dancing, or other exercise, helps reduce stress and takes your mind off worries. Reading fiction can also be a great way to relax, escape, and recharge your mind. Reframe negative thoughts with positive ones, like “I did my best, and the rest is up to God,” to ease your mind. Celebrate small wins each day to give your thoughts something positive to focus on. Maintain a healthy routine with regular sleep, a balanced and nutritious diet, sunlight, and limited screen time at night to support your emotional and physical well-being.
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Andrew’s Answer
You’ve already put your best foot forward. That’s all you can do! Once you hit “submit,” the rest is out of your hands, and that can feel weird or stressful. Try to shift your focus now to things you can control, like enjoying senior year, spending time with friends, or exploring scholarships and financial aid options. You’ve done the hard part, and the waiting doesn’t define your worth or how strong your application was. Remind yourself that college decisions don’t determine your future, they’re just one step in it. Take a breath, celebrate the work you’ve already done, and trust that it’ll lead you where you need to go.