The final college decision will come after years of planning and months of submitting countless applications. Here is a list of essential and fun activities to pursue as a family while awaiting final admission decisions before National College Decision Day.
Awaiting college admissions decisions can offer a blend of excitement, stress, and reflection for parents and students as you approach National College Decision Day. After supporting two of my children through the waiting process for college decisions, here are a few recommendations to help your family make the time productive, fun, and meaningful.
You will learn all about the fun and productive strategies we employed to get us through the waiting period. While all students have a unique experience through the college application submission cycle, awaiting the final college decisions can add an element of surprise and tension to families as they consider the possibilities for the next four years.
This post provides tips to help manage the waiting period as you approach college admissions decisions and National College Decision Day.
Mindless(and not so Mindless) Activities to Consider while Awaiting College Decision Day
Your common applications have been submitted and every family member has been impacted by the stressful time that preceded the work of your high school senior. In our house tensions were high and the anticipation of college admissions decisions created a strange stillness. Your senior may have also received a few early acceptances but many high school seniors and their families, are awaiting the final nod from many schools. Let’s dig into some activities to consider to keep your mind and your family occupied.
1. Celebrate and Document Milestones Together
Let’s face it, getting to the finish line of high school has come with incredible work, many accomplishments, and 13 years of milestones. Parents of high school seniors have quietly witnessed many dance recitals and concerts, cheered on their children in gymnasiums and at countless sporting venues and fields, and sat on pins and needles at debate tournaments and in theatre performances. It’s tempting to focus solely on future academic pursuits, social conquests, and what lies ahead. But consider that now it’s time to celebrate the body of work of the student and the family! Find ways to reflect on and document the considerable journey to lighten the mood as you wait.
Gather all of your mementos, print or grab the pictures you have taken from the special milestones, buy a beautiful scrapbook and scrapbooking materials, or use an online service to create a printed or digital album. Use this time to take a trip down memory lane. Here are a few items to consider as you prepare to document your memories, keepsakes achievements, snapshots of family, friends, and fun! Click Here to buy on Amazon.
2. Plan for senior lasts!
The Last First Day was created to highlight and navigate what happens after the last first day of school! Senior year is filled with opportunities to celebrate the last experiences in grade school. There are so many lasts to consider. Last high school game, last high school dance, last yearbook photo, last orchestra or band concert, last field day, and of course the last day of school! While you wait for that college decision, emotionally prepare for and enjoy the last time you and your family will experience these moments.
3. Think ahead to college dorm decor
Head over to Pinterest and start to dream about the dorm setup! There are thousands of inspirational photos to get you thinking about the home away from home your newly minted college student will occupy. Our children made it clear that they preferred very comfortable dorm rooms that offered the coziness of home. Having both a boy and girl traverse this time, we had a blast creating spaces they both loved! Check the photo of our son’s room below. Check back for sourcing information on his room decor!
4. Sort the college mail
If you are anything like me, I hate clutter! By the time the common app is submitted, there are piles and piles of accumulated college mail. Now is a good time to sort through the mail you received and discard or recycle items from schools your high school senior decided not to pursue! The remaining mail should offer decision-making support around:
- Campus culture, size, and location
- Academic programs and majors
- Financial aid, scholarships, and cost of attendance
- Campus facilities, extracurriculars, and student organizations
5. Declutter high school pileup
Did I say hate? Yes, I hate clutter. Tackling the clutter is a great way to stay busy! Use the time as you await college admissions decisions to donate or discard the old uniforms, textbooks, instruments, sporting equipment, and graded papers. This process is a necessary one as you look ahead to the move to college and can also help add pages to your aforementioned scrapbook. Why not start now? Grab a few bins and trash bags and declutter.
6. Plan an acceptance and graduation celebration
Prepare to grab balloons, t-shirts, water bottles, and college necessities as a simple way to celebrate the acceptance! Will your family host a post-graduation celebration? Inside or out? With or without classmates? A luncheon, family barbeque, or intimate celebration? All are questions to consider while you think about planning a graduation celebration. Our family celebrated with a post-graduation luncheon for family, friends, and supporters. Check out the memories we made here. Whatever you choose, the waiting period for college decisions is a quiet time to think about how you and your family will celebrate the upcoming acceptances and graduation.
Ok, we may have gone a little overboard with our acceptance swag! Click here to get started on your acceptance display.
7. Shop For Graduation Attire
Most, if not all, schools have guidelines for high school graduation attire. To get your mind off the waiting period for college admissions decisions, check out the graduation attire requirements and shop for dresses or suits you and your senior will both love (or like). Who knew that getting a good white dress would be so challenging?!
8. Review the checklist for graduation and scholarship requirements
Our school provided the students and parents with incredible resources to ensure that graduation requirements were met! Look ahead to the national AP Exam administration dates, dual enrollment verification requirements, final submission entries for art portfolios, and final considerations for school and community scholarships.
9. Ensure that your high school senior finishes strong
Frankly, the road to college decision day can be long! Senioritis is real for both parents and high school seniors. Most students think they can check out academically while ramping up socially. A strong academic finish may be required for some college decisions as schools may request final grades. Encourage your student to write thank you notes to special teachers, college counselors, administrators, and staff who have impacted their lives and shared in this journey. Chase the joy associated with the pursuit, squeeze the most from this special time, and finish strong as a family.
This post was intended to offer encouragement and advice for the countdown to college decisions. This time is more than a waiting period but is also a chance to celebrate the journey, reconnect as a family, and prepare for the exciting time leading to National College Decision Day!
