Everything is in…except for financial aid’s requirement of the 2016 tax packet, which we’ve already given to an accountant to try and hurriedly complete. When I have things to do, I can keep my mind off of the looming date…but now that it is all done and everything is out of our hands, my mind can’t stop thinking about it. Any advice for the OCD in me? How did you as parents get through the idle time? Any suggestion is appreciated!
One thing that I did was work on summer plans for both my kids. For the younger I was able to complete registrations, but for the one applying to BS I was mostly doing research because we had different ideas about how that kid’s summer would be spent depending on whether the kid was going to go away in the fall. I also spent a lot of time on this forum trying to learn even more about the various schools where applications had been sent. And I read through a lot of issues of the student newspapers. I also had to figure out logistics for my kids’ spring breaks (which have always been different as they attended different schools) in light of the possibility of making revisit trips to schools after M10. As I found out the revisit dates for the various schools I would mark them on a dedicated calendar to try to get a sense of the timing. The revisit spots fill quickly so I’m thankful that I knew which dates we wanted as soon as the decisions came in.
We live far away, so our revisits will be a first visit for my husband and will have to be during our Spring Break…so may not coincide with the official revisit dates. That trip is already booked to the region in hopes my child is accepted somewhere…eek. But I definitely like your suggestions about planning the summer, since we are hopeful (yet sad) that this may be his last summer truly at home, so to speak. Thanks for your input!
It’s a tough couple of weeks, especially for those that are planners. However, try and Not talk too much about BS. Last year we needed so much FA that we focused more on the home option until M10. Most of our conversations were about what our plans would be if she stayed home- We also tried to spend as much time with her as possible as a family. Looking into summer options is also a great idea. One thing we definitely did right was the night before M10 we took the night off- went out to dinner as a family, even went bowling. Did our best to get her mind off it. We told her how proud we were of her goals and all of the hard work she had done to get through the application process- then we moved on. My D has since told us how much pressure she was under to get into BS the days before M10- so many people had a stake in her success ( teachers, those that wrote personal recs, her school, even her closet friends) Unlike college, where most likely you’re going to get in somewhere, BS is never a sure thing. Just be mindful of the extra stress outside of the home- best of luck come march! Enjoy your time with your child!
Wow–thanks! My kid is so stoic, I hadn’t even considered him being anxious. We will definitely think of something to do the day before…that’s a great idea!
We planned a quick vacation over February break – possibly the last one the kids will have at the same time for at least a few years – and I am focusing on the various sports events, school events and family things going on in the interim, plus my kids’ birthdays, so there is always something to look forward to other than M10. I think DS’s school plans some kind of field trip for the 8th graders on M10 so that they are all off doing something on the day. I am making every effort to not talk about it with DS; he is pretty laid back about it and enjoying not thinking about secondary school for a while.
My advice is about how to handle M10 decisions and parents advice to there kids before decisions arrive. My DD applied to 5 schools, waitlisted at 2, denied enrollment at 2 and accepted at one school. She was thoroughly disappointed she was not accepted at her #1 choice of schools. Long story short she was accepted at a TOP school and absolutely loves it. She loves the athletics, campus, has great friends and is fully engaged in all prep school aspects. My point is that I believe it is important to convey to your child that if they do not get into their number 1 choice school they will be going to a great prep school regardless.
Funny…we just had that conversation last night as a family! I think my DS is completely fine. I just hate the waiting game…I am a planner, organizer type, so I, by nature, need to keep busy. We have been so occupied with sports, sports playoffs, UIL competitions, etc, that we haven’t dwelled on it too much. We decided last night to wait until the evening and open each decision together. Here I was worried about it, and find I’ve been too busy with other things to worry about it. Lol. Good luck to everyone else in our position! I’m sure everything will work just the way it’s meant to be!
Hello all–
I’ve been lurking here since we decided last spring to have our daughter apply to prep schools and have learned a lot from all of you. I’m as anxious as anyone for the decisions, especially since there’s nothing left to do now but wait.
Mostly I’ve been spending time knitting and learning to crochet and doing other crafty things. I’m crocheting a blanket for DD hopefully to take with her to BS. Made a big mistake I just noticed this morning and I have to rip a lot out. Oh well! My plan is to have it done by decision day. I also want to make her a Doctor Who bag.
I teach literature at the local university so there is always something with a student I can busy myself with, but I need to keep my hands busy more than my head at this point for some reason.
Nice to hear that some are getting actual MAIL from the schools! I love swag!
Welcome @leslie41 :-h
Best wishes to your D and your family come decision time!
@Leslie41 – it wasn’t until I read your post that I realized I had taken up running (my daughter wanted to complete a 5k this year, so I thought I’d do it with her) and that is probably helping a lot with M10 looming, also. And I also understand the busy hands vs head. I continue to work daily in a job with little breaks…but it is more of just “moving” and mindless busy work that helps. Maybe if I move that energy into cleaning…
Okay, I am tired of waiting too, and about 3 weeks ago my pretty laid back DS started talking about how he really wants to go to XX school, and how anxious he is. He’s used to hearing about sports tryouts within a few days or a week. These last 2 weeks seem very long. On the other hand, it’s now two months since Christmas but seems like it was a few weeks, so this will be over in the blink of an eye (I keep telling myself). Fortunately there is work, sports events, meetings and various other events pretty much every day between now and M10, there is plenty to keep us all busy. I am not good with this kind of thing, and keeping it to myself to avoid spreading the angst to my family is not helping! ** Sigh **
Funny! My DS doesn’t seem very anxious but with the date looming closer, we’ve put the date on the countdown app. Every day it switches the background to a different school he applied to…we are making it a game, wondering which school will be the background photo for that particular day! He also has a French competition, band competition, track meet and hockey playoffs before M10, so we’ve had plenty of things to focus on. But it still is hard to not know! Good luck!!!
Last year, my daughter was fine too. I tried to not to talk about it with her and instead frequented here to relieve my anxiety.
@SculptorDad this place makes me more anxious, but it the only place to talk with others who share and understand the anxiety!
@Korab1 no kidding! They should rename it Anxious Parents Anonymous!
Once my son hit the “send” button on his applications, he made me promise that we wouldn’t talk about schools again until M10. He was/is so over the whole process. Cone of silence 
It’s worse NOT to talk about it. Find some time to celebrate before the decisions come out. When my kids applied now 4 - 6 years ago, conventional wisdom was to have a pizza party and celebrate a job well done getting the apps complete. Remind the students that life isn’t always fair. You have to apply for many things to get just one. It may not go the way they want, and its okay. Life will go on. It’s not what you do on any one day, but its what you do every day (hard work) that will pay off in the long run. Remind them life is a journey, not a prize to be won. Remind them that smart kids will do well wherever they go to high school. Not everyone will go to Exeter or Andover, no matter how qualified they may be! Celebrate who they are as people and tell them to keep dreaming large. Life is full of setbacks, and the most important thing is to pick yourself up and go on, and that’s what you’ll be most proud of come M10, not where they get accepted.
We did little celebration after filing them too. But after that I even delayed talking about it until most of results were in, after her physics class ended at 10pm of M10. If she wanted to talk about it then she would have done it. I had no business of adding anxiety to her filing up homework and test prep otherwise.
Best way I’ve found to make it to M10? Get flattened by flu :{ Lost a good 5 days of angsty waiting to being seminconscious in bed. Thanks, flu!