You're not going to get that scholarship.

Trust me, it is harder to read that than believing this statement is true. I'm sure you are fit for whatever scholarship you apply for and it matches your major or career you are planning to pursue after college. You worked so hard on running around the house, fumbling through papers and homework for that acceptance letter, a scholarship for dog lovers asked you to scan and send to them online. After three weeks, you'll hear nothing back.

This is rejection.

You'll get used to it when applying for scholarships, even if your college has a site for available scholarships. You'll probably get an email from whatever place you applied for by letting you down easily. Or they won't tell you at all, as if they hoped you'll forget you applied for them.

And it's okay.

Don't blame them. Don't blame too much on yourself either. It could be many reasons why you didn't win that scholarship but the other classmate did. Maybe you didn't edit your essay and cut down to its 500 word limit. Maybe you flaked out on that big scholarship because you were busy doing other things like your part-time job. Who knows! You may run into people-- from family members to friends--who advise you to apply for a scholarship that fits to your major. Then you end up explaining that if you do, you're limiting yourself with possible scholarship and win from it. Plus, you're in college. They should get the clue (maybe).

Don't blame them for not experiencing college the way you do. You're working hard, there's not doubt in that. Take it from someone who is still applying for scholarships, don't expect to win scholarships the day after you applied. There are thousands and thousands of college students who hoped to win and pay off their student loans as much as you did.

Does that discredit you for whatever you're applying for? No.

This means you'll continue to work hard. Keep studying for that big test in chemistry class or draw the greatest piece in your art class. While you're not studying and have a part-time job, you show everyone how much of a great worker you are. Don't push yourself to the point where you have no energy to do anything. Remember: you're still a humxn.

Life is hard, especially scholarships. Pat yourself on the back for applying to one, 60 or 5,000 scholarships. When you finally get that scholarship, remind yourself that you got yourself this far (with help on the way of course). Don't give up because we students got to stick together, right?