Try not to take the rejection too personally. Sometimes colleges reject outstanding applicants because there is no more room. In the article "Dealing with Rejection" by Dave Berry, Berry mentions one particular college that received a surplus of great applicants. The dean felt bad he couldn't accept all of them so instead of sending out rejection letters he put the rest on a waiting list just to show he wished he could have admitted them all. Just because someone received a rejection letter does not mean the applicant was necessarily subpar.
Participate in activities that release endorphins. Endorphins are the "happy" molecules that make people feel better. Exercising is a great way to release these molecules. In fact, they are also responsible for the runner's high. Another way to release endorphins is through laughter. Watching funny movies or going to a comedy club can also help release this natural anti-depressant. Some people also feel really good when helping others. In this case, volunteering can help alleviate some of the pain from a rejection letter.
Participating in less strenuous exercise can also help. Some people work off their disappointment by hitting a punching bag, gardening, or even cleaning out a room. This not only provides distraction from the rejection, but usually a sense of accomplishment comes from finishing the task.
Share the disappointment with others. At a high school in California seniors tacked their rejection letters to a "rejection wall." With the wall filled with letters from various students they were able to see many people were also dealing with the same issue. Talking about the rejection with others can also bring some relief.
If there isn't a good support network around sometimes people keep a stress journal or diary, cataloging how they felt and what they did in response. Pouring out disappoint and frustration on paper can help relieve some of the stress.
Manage your amount of worrying when dealing with a college rejection letter. Some worry is expected but too much can cause further problems. If you consistently stay up most of the night worrying and do not receive a good night's sleep, you impair your body's ability to take care of itself, making the person feel even more stressed. A person can get sick, have trouble focusing, and perform poorly in school or at work.