For teenagers, the arrival of college admissions decisions can be a tough but important introduction to the power of perspective. 

Let’s say you’ve spent the last three years working hard to get admitted to your dream school…and that school says no. You’ll be disappointed, maybe even hurt or angry. Those multiple other colleges that said yes may seem to pale in comparison to the school you had your heart set on. You might even feel like this is a tragedy.

But what if you had no supportive parent in your corner to help you in your college quest?

What if you were homeless and had to worry about where to find food today instead of where you would go to college?

What if you lived in a country that didn’t allow students of your gender or color to go to college?   

What if you had a terminal illness and would never get to go to any college? 

Now that no from one dream school doesn’t seem so bad. 

For seniors who receive bad admissions news (and the parents who will be there to help pick them up), it’s OK to be disappointed.  But maintain your perspective.  There are hundreds of thousands of people who would give anything to have a chance to go to college at all.  Be thankful for what you have, for the opportunities to learn, grow and have fun at whatever college you eventually attend. 

Perspective is a powerful thing if you’re willing to use it.