It has finally come. The lull. You have nothing, I repeat, nothing to do this week that relates to college admission. Well, actually I am going to suggest one thing. I encourage you to learn the life skill of "enjoying the lull."

Some people can't do it. You know who they are - the types that always have to be busy, busy, busy; the types that can't stand to turn off their cell phones; the types that barely finish one project before another one is underway. In my experience, these types either die young (no lie, drop dead of a heart attack at the desk in the office) or aren't really very happy or both.

If you are going to master enjoying the lull, you should do the following things this week (skill building for enjoying the lull):

1. Do one thing at a time. No multi-tasking. Whatever you are doing, do it only. So if you are playing Wii, do it and nothing else.
2. Play. Make time every day to do whatever you do that you do just because it is fun. No redeeming qualities, no resume building potential, no "shoulds." If you are really playing, you'll know it because you'll laugh out loud at some point for no reason.
3. Take a nap or go to bed early. Bonus sleep. It always serves you well.

That's it. Life is good all the time, but the lull is especially good!

Comments or Questions?

Post a suggestion for fun things to do during the lull.  We all like new ideas for play!

Alison Cooper Chisolm writes the series 52 Weeks to College. She has worked in admissions at Southern Methodist University, the University of Chicago, and most recently Dartmouth College. She is a graduate of Yale College and the University of Virginia Law School. As part of the Ivey Consulting team, Alison works with college applicants and their families as they navigate the college admissions process. Read more about Alison here.