When I applied to all my colleges, I felt really excited and confident about my essays/apps. However, I’ve noticed that as decision days for my schools get closer, I’m feeling anxious constantly and keep second-guessing and re-reading my essays even though I know I can’t do anything to change them (even though I know I’m a good writer and thought my essays were good when I wrote them). I’m also just being overall more negative: I’m imagining not getting into my schools and just overall am feeling really upset. I’ve always kind of been a person who’s doubted myself and can get anxious easily, but I don’t know if most people in my position feel this way or if it’s just me. Can someone give me insight into my feelings? Are they normal and part of the process? What can I do to just be happier during this process?
Think about your safety - your anxiety will really ease itself if you have a good safety in hand.
@kcr1010 - I suspect there are many thousands of students (and their families) who are feeling some anxiety at the moment, second guessing their application decisions, or even worrying about whether they will even get enough financial aid to afford to go. I don’t think there is anything wrong or unusual about that, and you should allow yourself to be human!
However, if you are getting to the point where the anxiety feels overwhelming to you, you may find it helps to talk to a trusted adult (family member, teacher, someone in an organization you are a part of). Sometimes the process of talking through your experience can help alleviate what you are experiencing.
Some people get excited about possibilities. Others get anxious about ambiguity.
Try using this time to work on “letting go.” You did what you could at the time to make your apps good. It’s out of your control. Practice being in the present (oh, so hard!) Focus on your day to day life, not college decisions.
Remember that the search and application process took a lot of your time, which you now have back. Don’t give it back to the process in the form of worry. Think of it as found time and fill it with things you enjoy. (Btw, if you keep a journal of any form, writing down the things you are dreaming of doing but don’t have time for can be a godsend at times like this.)
This is an important life skill. The universe is giving you a chance to work on it!
You can only attend one college. If you get into one school, anything else is a bonus. Hopefully you applied to a range of schools that you like and can afford.
If you end up with no suitable choices, that’s an opportunity to regroup. Take a gap year and reapply. There is so much you can do in a gap year. Or there are still plenty of college you can apply to, even now. Or, there will be a list of excellent schools with remaining spaces to fill, released on May 1.
If you don’t get into any of your top choices, remember that there is so much that’s beyond your control in the process. You will end up at the best place for you.
Breathe!
Get out of the house and exercise - endorphins will make you happy. 
Be in nature . Be with friends.
It is what it is. Stressing about it isn’t going to change the outcome.