<p>My DS1 is applying college, and it is first time for us to be in this waiting game. I found it quite stressful. I kept reminding me that he will be OK either way. Still the uncertainty is daunting...</p>
<p>How do you handle it?</p>
<p>I had a terrible time with waiting out DS1’s college apps. He is now in his 2nd year at his"dream school" and it all worked out. I now am starting the process with DS2, who is a HS jr. And I want to handle the process in a somewhat more detached manner. But honestly I am very invested in this college journey and it is hard to not be on pins and needles. Just keep busy, help others in some way, and know that spring letters will come and it will all work out. Good luck!</p>
<p>Distraction. 
There are a lot of good movies out right now… and also D2 is working on finishing up her regular decision apps while ignoring the ticking clock for her early applications. I actually think I am much more attuned to the wait than she is. I don’t think she could tell you when the colleges she has submitted apps to are supposed to get back to her, while I could give the date for each of them.</p>
<p>The first acceptance will make you happy and relax a little bit. Everything about the rest is stressful for first timers… (me too) Feel your angst!</p>
<p>“The waiting game sucks. I want to play Hungry Hungry Hippos instead.”–Homer Simpson</p>
<p>greentea – are you waiting for ED results? Or RD? </p>
<p>if it’s really killing you, you could throw in an app at a rolling admissions school.</p>
<p>A friend of mine (with a college aged D same age as mine) used to drive around to find the mailman. Poor guy was never so popular.</p>
<p>It’s a process like no other. Pregnancy is a waiting game, but it’s more joyous.</p>
<p>To ease the stress, try asking your son, “Do you have any idea how difficult this is for me?” Seriously, there were times when I was tempted to say that to my D, lol. It’s awful, till the first acceptance comes in, as Marybee said. Although the time will probably crawl till he has heard from all the schools he cares about. Think about it this way: you’re adding years to your life, all within the span of just a few months!</p>
<p>Read the Class of 2016 thread for fun…we are so much more relaxed now. It will help you see that for better or worse, it will be over soon :)</p>
<p>D1 told me she knew she could thrive at any of the schools she applied to, which helped me. The one rolling acceptance came early - and, just as marybee and 2015 wrote, it helped us all relax.</p>
<p>Funny abut the mailman- ours said all the kids were after him and that he loved delivering the fat envelopes.</p>
<p>DRINK!!! Sounds like you should come wait with the rest of us…misery loves company. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/754591-parents-hs-class-2013-college-class-2017-a-1035.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/754591-parents-hs-class-2013-college-class-2017-a-1035.html</a>. :D</p>
<p>Thank you for all the good ideas to cope with stress. My DS1 is applying to EA, and hopefully he will get in one. Either way, will try to help him to focus on RD. I know he will be fine and will end up somewhere he enjoys!</p>
<p>Good luck, everyone.</p>
<p>When I think back at how stressed our whole family was a year ago, its hard not to laugh at myself. Keep busy and try and enjoy the Holidays. For us once the first acceptance letter rolled in the stress level dropped. I agree with the other poster apply for one rolling admission school that is a good saftey. It really helps to just know there is a place to go… </p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>“It is what it is”. Just keep saying that mantra over and over. </p>
<p>Repeating what others said, a rolling admission acceptance would be helpful. The worm applied to state flagship, so that was a good safety ( based on stats). </p>
<p>Since son applied last minute, in late December, as a junior, none of his friends were adding to the stress. None of the parents were sharing stories with me. I did not discover CC until later.</p>
<p>My son has a few acceptances already but the BIG one is still out there. He’ll find out on Friday. I just want to call admissions and promise that I won’t tell anyone if they tell me now :D</p>
<p>D has 7 of 9 apps out and nothing back. I keep telling myself we won’t hear anything until April 1. If I can convince myself, it eases the constant sense of expectation and the daily disappointment of going down the driveway to the mailbox…Meanwhile, I’m still working on the anxiety engendered by trying to get D to get the other 2 apps out - including the one for her top choice (reach, reach, reach).</p>
<p>How do I handle it? I come here, where everyone understands. D has one rolling admission (she does not really want to go there), one EA decision due in a week or so, then the rest will release results in Feb and March. I try not to think about it too much when I am not online. She will get in some places (she has 12 outstanding apps, or will when she finishes the last 2) and will make her decision in April. It’s out of my hands anyway.</p>
<p>“A friend of mine (with a college aged D same age as mine) used to drive around to find the mailman”.</p>
<p>Hate to admit it but I did the same with my first child’s High School Apps. As I jumped in the car, my husband would just stand at the window shaking his head.</p>
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<p>Right. A friend ;)</p>
<p>I think you just have to trust the process and believe they will end up where they are meant to be. I pretty much live life that way though. I tend to trust that things work out as they should in the long run.</p>
<p>Concentrate on the senior year- last year- of HS and childhood. Think waay back to when you were pregnant and this nine months will seem so much easier.</p>