A destiny of college mail awaits those high schoolers who check “yes” next to the Student Search Service box on tests such as the PSAT. At first, the recognition from numerous schools generates excitement and pride. As the paper stacks keep piling up, however, expectation turns to plain annoyance. How does one handle an excess of college mail?

The key to managing the mountains of college mail begins with dealing with the letters the day they arrive. Waiting will only prolong the agony and heighten the immensity of the load. Two options then exist: open it or throw it away.

If one opens it, what does one do? The logical step is to read the type and then decide on a course of action. Some may chose to respond to the information letter by returning the attached information card or by signing up for the college’s newsletter. If one is genuinely interested in the school, it may be a good option to research the school’s website. Nevertheless, requesting more information or officially joining a mailing list will bring even more college mail.

Some may choose to open the letter and save it for future use come application time. Indeed, some fancy brochures are too well-made to be thrown away and not savored. However, this hoarding of mail augments the ever-increasing stack of papers. On the other hand, some students may choose to open mail, read it, nod in agreement with the letter’s promise of greatness and proceed to throw it in the trash. This routine speedily destroys the ever-growing stack.

The best part about college mail is that one can be creative with its eventual function. I’ve seen all sorts of interesting methods to utilize the papers without regard to its original purpose: making origami frogs, crafting paper airplanes or sacrificing them to a bonfire.

Whatever path one chooses to handle college mail has its advantages and disadvantages. Throwing it away saves space and time while reading the papers can open doors of opportunities to the thousands of schools available across the nation. To save time, the best option may be to read the letter, bookmark the school’s website and then recycle the paper. Always remember to recycle.