Junior year is the beginning of the end in a sense. It's where you gotta buckle down and get ready for the rest of the ride that is college. It's where the reality of being in your third year of undergrad comes into play, and financial aid starts to disappear. It's where you care less about how you're going to get black-out drunk this "Thirsty Thursday" and more worried about that seven-page paper due on blackboard Friday morning. Junior year practically is the beginning of real adulthood.
1. Grad school
Need I say more? I hope not, because I have no idea where to go from here. Better start looking into and applying to graduate school, because advisors suggest having applications in by spring semester of junior year.
2. Internships
While it was OK to not have an internship sophomore year and not even an issue freshman year, you're going to need one by junior year, because in senior year you'll be way too stressed to worry about internships. A great tip: try an internship on campus, or even look for something paid so you're not stressed about working without money.
3. Sallie Mae or any other Loans
I'm not saying you're going trying to pay off all these loans by senior year, but the reality that Sallie Mae will come for you six months after graduating is a thought that's slowly creeping into your mind, probably causing you to open a savings account. Maybe it'll be easier to start now? Or go to grad school. That'll hold her off for an extra year.
4. Money
Remember freshman year and some of sophomore year when you spent money on the club every Thirsty Thursday night? Took cabs to and from places no problem, and went on massive target grocery runs? Yeah, those are a thing of the past. Say hello to stealing food from the cafè, begging friends for car rides and club nights out only when it's free before 12. You gotta make some sacrifices if you're going to start paying these loans soon.
5. Jobs
Your parents have officially stopped sending you money to your bank account and now you need to find some other ways to support your lifestyle. Ramen every day and waiting for Tuesday and Thursdays for 67 cent wings at Buffalo Wild Wings isn't going to cut it. The only way to afford anything this semester is a job. A paid internship is the best option, but those are impossible to find, so maybe the smartest thing to do would be to work at the mall.
6. Human connections
You're down to the last stretch, so you either have a squad or a few wonderful friends. You finally get the phrase "quality or quantity." You no longer need a large group of friends, because you realize the ones you have now will be part of your wedding court and play dates. You've either become that single friend whose single and loving every bit of it, being a player, or empowering but enjoying the 'single as a happy little Pringle' lifestyle. Or you're practically married with kids to your significant other. Or you don't let other connections bother you, you don't care that you're single or that you've been dating for such a long time, or that someone you don't connect with isn't speaking to you. There are more important things to worry about in life.
