In January, the crisp winter air did little to dampen the shock when I received the rejection letter from my dream university. At first, the news didn’t register emotionally; it felt like just another piece of correspondence. However, as the days unfolded, a wave of sadness crept in and settled over me for the remainder of the week. I found myself jealous of others who had been successful in their applications. They had secured offers from prestigious universities that many aspire to, even for the most competitive courses.
Contemplating the effort invested in all aspects of my application throughout the past year, and the subsequent knowledge expansion leading up to the interview, it was disheartening to feel like all the hard work had somehow turned out to be useless. To summarise briefly, my meticulously planned academic endeavour resulted in the institution declaring ‘NO’, with perfunctory-sounding reasons such as ‘we are full’; ‘there are other candidates more suitable than you’; or ‘the course is very competitive due to the increase in applicants every year’. It stings. It is possible that people
tend to remember the achievements of successful applicants, often overlooking the significant efforts put in by those who faced rejection. Ultimately, I felt like I just hadn’t performed well enough and I thought that others saw the gap between me and the others, who were accepted.
As I reflected on the journey from the initial shock of rejection, a realisation began to emerge: despite the initial wave of sadness, time had brought subtle yet significant changes in Request feedback my perspective. Surveying my emotional progress, it became apparent that I had acquired valuable insights on dealing with the disappointment of rejection, which gained me newfound Cry resilience and a more nuanced understanding of navigating life’s inevitable
setbacks.
In the event of facing rejection, it’s important to remember that you are not alone in your experience. Being rejected is such a commonplace occurrence, and the ensuing emotions of sadness, anxiety, jealousy, are undoubtedly normal. Moreover, expressing frustration at the perceived ‘unfairnesses’ of the situation is completely valid. However, embracing the necessity of bidding farewell to past dreams is also crucial for progression. Allow yourself the time to say goodbye to your dream university – a dream that used to carry profound significance!
As the Cambridge results day approached, I stumbled upon this captivating mind map shared by an applicant on social media. While this is not entirely serious, making a similar mind map for myself made me recognise that, regardless of the outcome, there will always be a solution to deal with the problem. One setback does not signify perpetual doom for the entirety of your life. Instead,
it marks the beginning of a new chapter—a chance to progress to the next stage, armed with renewed strength and determination to persist in your aspirations.
Many individuals find that diverting their attention to new endeavours helps alleviate the disappointment of rejection. One of my friends, Danny, was waitlisted by all of his top university choices. Despite this setback, he redirected his focus towards his passion for drama. He eventually enrolled in his second-choice university, immersed himself in Theatre Studies and became a staff member at Broadway Theatre a few months ago; now, he is actively working towards his dream of becoming a director. His journey serves as a powerful reminder that rejection does not equate to failure. Instead, it can pave the way for unexpected opportunities and personal fulfillment.
Rejection also does not signify the end of one’s ambitions. J K Rowling encountered numerous rejections before finding success with the Harry Potter series. Despite this adversity, she persisted in pursuing her passion for storytelling. Her unwavering dedication and perseverance ultimately led to her becoming one of the most successful authors of all time. As long as you possess a clear passion or vision for your future endeavours, and remain flexible, they can be accomplished anywhere.
‘What we have concluded from past experience is that it does not matter which university a pupil enters, but what matters is his growth in the next four years’ – Harvard University. Of course, these
dream universities are amazing, but it is crucial to remember that the optimal environment for your growth and development may not align with the expectations cultivated through reading brochures. In conclusion, then, for those grappling with rejection, I advise reframing the experience as an opportunity for personal growth and resilience. The worst part is over. No more pulling all-nighters to write personal statements or anxiously refreshing your mailbox. Feel free to vent your emotions and accept the outcome. Nothing can define who you are. Instead, the power lies within your hands to actively determine the person you aspire to become through deliberate actions. While the path forward may not always be easy, it is through facing challenges head-on and maintaining a resilient mindset that true growth and fulfilment are achieved.
