June 27: Not going Ivy League? Burn away the rejections

It’s about that time when a bonfire with a few good friends is the perfect activity for a summer evening. When the fire begins to burn out, throw all your rejection letters into the flames and enjoy watching them turn charcoal black. Encourage your friends to join you.

It might seem dumb, but it actually can be quite therapeutic to get rid of all the negativity before heading to U of I. You were admitted to a great university, considered one of the finest public institutions in the country. Don’t let the schools that said “no” to you define the person you become. Once you’re here, no one is going to ask who you received rejections from. Nor will they care what you got on the ACT, what your class rank was or that your No. 1 choice was out of state, but Illinois was the less expensive route. Just as importantly, whoever is hiring you for your first job won’t care either. Let whatever road got you here disappear when you arrive.

More often than not, it only matters if you let it.