By January 1st, most high school seniors have already applied to all of their colleges. However, throughout the month of December, many seniors heard back from their number one school when the early decision/enrollment acceptance and rejection letters went out.

For some seniors, opening that letter is the best moment of their life, but for others, it feels like the world is crashing down all around them. I'm a senior in college now, but I still remember exactly how it felt when I got my rejection letter from Northwestern.

If you are a high school senior that just got a rejection letter from your top school, I'm here to tell you that it's OK.

In fact, that rejection just might be the best thing that ever happened to you because there is probably something better out there for you. I can't say if my college experience is better than it would have been if I went to Northwestern. I know that I'd probably love Northwestern. However, my college experience is a heck of a lot more affordable because I was lucky enough to get a full ride to a different school.

Perhaps you didn't get into your first choice college. That's alright. There are other schools out there and there is probably a school that is the perfect fit for you out there. Even if you don't go to your dream school for your freshman year, you can always apply as a transfer student later. That was my original plan, but after coming to my school, I realized I just didn't want to transfer.

Every single human on earth has to face rejection.

It's a part of life. While it may seem that your rejection is so much worse than anyone else's, trust me, it will only make you stronger. Push yourself to work even harder. Don't let this hold you back. You can still accomplish your career goals if you attend a different school than you thought you would. The truth is, you can't plan everything out yourself.

Things aren't as bad as they seem right now. There are thousands of schools in this country. Even if you don't attend the school you thought was your dream, your college experience is whatever you choose to make it, so don't go into your freshman year with a bad attitude.