Rejection. It’s never an easy thing to deal with, but it happens.

One of the worst forms of rejection comes when you’ve been turned down by your dream school, especially when you worked your butt off to make sure you’d get accepted.

If you’re not sure how to deal with this outcome, we’re here to help by offering some advice below.

1. Let It Out

Whatever you are feeling, feel it. You have every right to be upset, especially because you worked so hard to ensure you’d get accepted to this school. Whether you need to cry, scream, punch a pillow, do it. Bottling up these emotions will only make getting over this rejection that much more difficult to deal with. Find a safe space and let it all out.

(Gilmore Girls via Warner Bros. Television)

 

2. Contact the Dean of Admissions

Accepting that you’ve been rejected from your dream school is always easier when you know why you were rejected in the first place. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the Dean of Admissions and ask them why you didn’t get accepted. It may take some time for them to get back to you, but they usually do. If they don’t respond, at least you made the effort. Once you know how this outcome came to be, work to improve whatever you need to in order to ensure you get accepted if you choose to apply again.

 

3. Don’t Count Out Ever Going to That School

You may have been rejected, but you can always apply again. Remember that. Like we mentioned, discover what you need to work on so you can make sure you get accepted when you apply the next time. It’s easy to believe that being rejected is the end of everything, but it is definitely not. Maybe it isn’t ideal for you to go to your dream school right now, but who’s to say it won’t be sometime down the line? If you really want to go to this school, do what you have to do to make sure it happens.

 

4. Weigh Your Other Options

Not being accepted to the school of your dreams doesn’t mean your life is over. There are so many paths you can go down, so now it’s time for you to think about what you really want. Maybe you’re meant to go to community college and then transfer to your dream school? Maybe a gap year spent traveling the world is in the cards? Even though you may believe they’re limited, your options are completely limitless.

(Hannah Montana via Disney Channel)

 

5. Remember Being Rejected Happens All the Time

If you’ve never been rejected from anything or by anyone, kudos to you—although this probably makes this experience that much more difficult for you to deal with. Remember that this will happen again, but at least this time you’ll be a little bit more prepared. This feeling isn’t fun, but let it fuel you to do bigger and better things.

 

6. Do Something Fun

Take your mind off of this nonsense by going out with your besties. Go see a movie, visit the mall, hit the gym. Honestly, do whatever will make you feel better and put a smile on your face. Turning to your BFFs or your family is always a good way to go, because they’ll know just what to do to cheer you right up.

(The Vampire Diaries via The CW)

 

While we’re on the ever-so-exciting topic of rejection, HERE’s what you should do if you’ve been rejected by your crush.