If I had Known..
I started my college process like every other student: with the SATs. However, unlike most students, I had spent the proceeding 4 months reviewing sentence structure, math concepts and reading techniques. I took practice sections almost every week; I would shut my door and inform the entire house that no one was to disturb me while I prepared for my future. Now, that seriousness makes me laugh, but between the regular SATs and then the subject test, it was my life for almost a year.
Now I’m sure most of you are thinking, “she’s crazy.” Go ahead, admit it. I feel the same way sometimes. I push myself way to hard and worry about things that while important, aren’t that important.
I remember working on my Georgetown application and staring at my computer for almost 5 minutes before actually submitting it. Again, I needed to recheck everything, ensuring that it was perfect. It was my first choice and I knew I’d be devastated if I wasn’t accepted. The month and a half wait to hear the committee’s decision almost killed me. You can ask my friends; I talked about it constantly. “You’ll get in, Taylor. Stop freaking out.” “But what if..” was the chorus on replay in my head.
On the Monday before I was supposed to find out, I was called to Ms. Hirshfield’s. I didn’t know what it was about, but I figured a college had sent me a package, which wasn’t uncommon. I walk in and she’s beaming. I give her the awkward, “I don’t know what’s going on, but it must be good” eyebrow raise.
“So… Georgetown,” she prompted.
“I don’t hear till Wednesday,” I answered.
She was still grinning and then it hit me.
“I got in! I got in!” All of a sudden I was jumping and clapping. No, it was not one of my most modest moments, but I didn’t care. I was too happy for words.
I called my mom, who shared my excitement. “I knew you would, honey.” My dad was even more blunt over the news. “Yeah.. and? It’s not like I didn’t expect it.” Each one of my friends echoed their sentiments. “Of course you did, congrats!” “We knew you would, Taylor.”
The more people I told, the more annoyed I got. Was the accomplishment less impressive because it was expected? Even worse, if everyone else had knew, why hadn’t I? I couldn’t help but wonder, If I had known that everything would work out in the end, would I have let stress dictate my entire high school career?
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