Do you get disappointed when something doesn’t go your way? Is the disappointment even greater when that something was very likely to have gone your way in the first place? And is it even worse if those you wouldn’t have expected to gain entry got what you failed to get? Well, if the answer is yes to all the questions, then you are pretty normal. If not, well… you’re really too mature (that’s a good thing, of course).

As UK university application results roll in, whether from quite famous universities like Warwick to the very best at Oxford and Cambridge, it is likely that thousands of potential uni. grads are feeling bouts of the very disappointment I was referring to earlier. Especially if your results, ability and drive warranted entry into the very universities that you were rejected entry to.

And as US university application results come in a couple of months from now, we can anticipate even more students with such dissapointment. But how much does a university really matter to you and your future? Those sympathethic will say that your actions at work will matter far more, and that any university will do - even if it is your second, or third choice.

But they are right. As hard as it is to stomach, it is necessary to understand that a university is just an institute of education, and whether it is Harvard, Princeton or Oxford, they are just universities. Why let a mere institute cause so much pain to you? I won’t kid you and say a place in a top-rate university is worthless. Graduating from the best gives you a good chance to work with the best firms.

But there are many other ways to get that break. Whether hard work or luck. People do get lucky. If you didn’t get lucky this time (well, I’m sure you don’t believe you needed luck if you were truly qualified, but anyway…), you’ll get your break the next time. So what if others get lucky all the time? You shouldn’t care. The important thing is to understand when you get lucky and maximize the opportunities you get.

Of course, hard work cannot be substituted. Even if your hard work has yet to pay off, it is important never to give up. Cliche isn’t this? But I say it’s probably one of the most important truisms out there. Giving up means you lose everything you ever worked for. Continuing on means you get another chance to make sure what you’ve worked for so far will be realised.

So, stay cool, calm and determined in the face of university rejection letters. That’s all they are, letters, no more than that. The real stuff begins with you.