Acceptance. A word with a hefty, sometimes historical, meaning has recently funneled down into one phrase for me: did I get in?

This idea is nothing new. In fact, it starts with our acceptances into The University of Alabama. One may think that that initial acceptance allows some breathing room, but it is in fact just the beginning. Next, you apply for leadership positions, internships, even classes are not immune to the process of applications. Then, it all finally culminates in a job or graduate school.

I know this process well as I’ve spent the last few months applying to different law schools across the nation. It has cause me to reflect on my successes and failures throughout my career here. When I first came to the University, I came from a small pond where I felt like I was a pretty big fish. However, I got a swift kick in the pants when I realized all my peers, who came from across the nation for the scholarships and the football, felt that way too. After receiving rejection after rejection from organization after organization, I began to wonder where I went wrong. How can I gain more experience when I’m not being offered the opportunities? Do I lack the connections? Do I have horrible breath that no one told me about, and it’s scaring away all my interviewers? But then I received the first yes. I was excited and nervous, but I didn’t know how to act appropriately.

People always talk about how rejection makes you stronger, how we must learn from our failures. But I ask how are we supposed to handle our successes? Some may say we should be humble beings who bear our thrills the same way we bore our strife. Or that we must wait for those around us to acknowledge and praise us for it. Yet, I think we deserve to celebrate ourselves. An accomplishment is an accomplishment. Each one deserves ice cream and reflection. While being accepted outwardly, by a company, school or just into a presidential position, is exciting and should add a boost to any confidence level, these institutions are not telling you anything you didn’t already know about yourself. Each acceptance is a recognition of your hard work. You were the one who made it possible. Don’t celebrate someone liking you, celebrate that you wanted, worked, strived and then eventually gained. Celebrate yourself, because you did something special.

So, as envelopes both thick and skinny are sent to our mailboxes and doorsteps over the next few months, we must keep these things in mind. Yes, we must remember our losses and use them to make us better. But acceptance starts with ourselves. You are not your resume, you are not your interview suit, you are not the pile of rejection letters on your desk. You are acceptable. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but you are exactly what someone out there is looking for and you won’t fail for long. 

Alyx Eva is a senior majoring in american studies and English. Her column runs biweekly.