As your last semester rolls on, there are many things that run through your mind. For some, like me, it's your last semester on campus. For most seniors, this is your last semester of your undergrad experience. There are so many conflicting emotions that may not have quite hit yet. After all, it's only the beginning of the semester, or right before it begins depending on your school. So here's a list of some of those crazy thoughts.
1. Relief
This is your last semester of writing papers, taking tests, and going to classes. Unless you're moving on to get a Master's, you will never have to go through another semester or deal with it's accompanying stress.
2. Fear
This is your last semester. Unless you're moving on to get a Master's, you don't have another semester. It's time to move on to the real world. Be a real adult. Good luck with that.
3. Excitement
Because you're going into the real world, you're finally getting to use your degree. Four years have gone by in a flash and now you can do what you've been training for. Going out there and finding a job in your desired field is exciting right? You get to do what you love!
4. More Fear
Yes, you get to go out and find the job of your dreams, but every senior is terrified that they won't find a job in their field. Especially if it's not a very common field....
5. Joy
You're finally on your own. You never have to live with your family again. You don't have to be driven crazy by them anymore. You can finally go out there and prove to them you can take care of yourself and your parents don't have to fuss over you anymore.
6. Marriage
Some people are getting married after graduation. I know of at least four weddings that are happening for people in my class. And that's just the people who haven't already gotten married, or are waiting a little bit longer to tie the knot. For those of us who aren't getting ready to start a new life with your soul-mate, you get to celebrate with your friends. They are taking a life-changing step that, hopefully, will be a fantastic change. Weddings are times for celebration, and as friends, we get to celebrate with the lucky couple.
7. Student Loans
Like most college students, you've taken out at least a few student loans. Graduating means you have to start paying on them...
8. The close bonds
Those friendships that you've made while at school are not going to disappear. You've cried together, rejoiced together, laughed together, and so much more. You aren't about to let those friendships dissipate. As graduation looms ever closer, those bonds become so much more precious.
9. The very real Senioritis
As it starts to really set in that your time is coming to a close, you may face senioritis. The same thing happened in high school. You have to fight it, even more so now. As you well know, these classes are a lot harder that the ones from high school, so breezeing through won't be quite as easy.
10. All the other semesters that came before
It's your last semester on campus. Your last first day either has already passed, or it's quickly approaching. The last paper will be turned in. You will take your last test. Spend your final days in this place you've learned to call home. You're late night study sessions will come to an end. It's a semester of lasts, and as the semester rolls on, so many more lasts will come and go.
As time moves on, so many emotions and experiences become more precious, and you want to hold onto it for as long as you can. It's been said that college is the best time of your life. I say, it's only the beginning. It's only the beginning of the journey we call life. The average human life span is about 80, so we've got about 60 more years to go. Yes, you should cherish this time you spend here at school, but don't let your story end here. Change is hard, but it doesn't have to be a bad thing. Enjoy it. Sure this is your last semester on campus, but that means you have so many more journey's to experience. A semester of last's leads to a series of firsts yet to come that you can only dream about now.
