what should i do if that crap happens…
im probably gonna have to shoot myself in the leg.
but all jokes aside, what do i do ?
Hopefully you applied to a safety that was palatable for you. Not your favorite but not one you would hate. If so, then go and make the most of it. If you hate it before you even leave home, take a gap year, do something meaningful and re-apply or apply to the many schools on a list that comes out in May of schools that are short of filling their freshman class. A problem with the list is that financial aid is often hard to come by. So if you do need FA, then take a gap year.
You… attend? Or if you did not choose a safety school that you’re willing to attend, you consider a gap year and put in a more reasonable application list for next year.
FYI, one of my kids decided to attend her safety in spite of several higher ranked school acceptances. She decided she liked it as well and got good merit aid. She had a great experience and has had excellent career success after graduation. A safety can sometimes be your best choice.
lol this post sounds so much like me. But do not think so negatively of yourself… I have a 3.4 GPA, absolutely no extracurriculars except for one and somehow I got into schools like Binghamton, University of Florida, Fordham etc… It must have been my essay, 31 ACT or letters of rec that made them want to reel me in. it all depends on who you are. You of course don’t believe you’re special because no one believes that they are but in the end I promise you more schools will want you then you realize! 
A safety is a school you would be Happy to Attend. Why is that an issue?
What do you do? Well, go you buy a hoodie and then go off to college and have a great experience.
After researching different schools and visiting campuses, my safety school became my number 1 pick. Hopefully you will enjoy your safety school. If you really are bummed out about not getting into your top school, there’s always community college.
As they say here on CC: love your safety. Hopefully you didn’t apply to schools you don’t want to attend.
Only you know it was your safety. To everyone else it was your first choice. Buy the shirt. Move on. Have fun.
Your safety should ideally have programs that you are interested in.
For example, my safety has a guaranteed spot in medical school and a 7 year program. Great opportunities no? While it may not be my first pick, it is a lovely school that I would not mind going to.
Being a person of faith helps. There is tons inspirational scripture and teaching on the topic.
Most great people (including Jesus) were rejected.
This was my concern a while ago, I have come to realize that a safety school, doesn’t mean a bad school. Almost all institutions will want the best for you. If it is possible visit you safeties, I understand if it isn’t possible sometimes and if that is the case, look online there must be great resources. After you come to a conclusion, you can take the gap year like others suggested or maybe even transfer later on. I am in the same frame as you so I don’t know what the outcome of any of these choices will be but as others have pointed out to me those two are probably the best choices.
There is nothing in life worth shooting yourself in the leg for. When you apply to colleges, you select schools that you are willing to attend. There is nothing wrong with attending your safety. Make the most of it, don’t look back, look forward. No matter where you go to school it is really not the place but what you choose to do there.