For some of us, it was our senior year of high school. We roamed those locker-lined hallways romanticizing our glory days. We planned those senior pranks like our life depended on it.
However for some of us, senioritis has been brought to a whole new level. Collegiate senioritis is not simply wanting to graduate in order to go back to school. My friends, this is the beginning of the end (unless you're going to graduate school in which case, good luck). Our last year in school EVER. This strain of the disease we talked about so frequently in high school is more real than ever. Although it is only October, it's knocking on our doors telling us, "Yes, you should skip class and drive to Galveston. Yes, sleeping all day is a good idea."
People, we must fight these lazy tendencies. Now is not the time to jump ship! We still have one more year of the "best four years of our lives." So let's live it up, and in the meantime, make sure we graduate.
1. Keep your friends close.
The friends you have now are the ones stuck with you for life. So, invest deeply. Don't waste time still trying to be your cool, know everyone, freshman self.
2. Stay motivated.
Although everyone wants to graduate and immediately travel the world or live on an island in Fiji, for most of us this is not a reality (if it is then you could have stopped reading after the title of this article, so I'm not sure why you still are). Most college graduates move to a metropolitan area and work an 8-5 job making less money than their entire college education cost. The only way to climb ladders is hard work people, so don't slack off now and create bad habits.
3. Be well-rounded.
Most of our college lives are centered around academics and being social. While these things will remain once we graduate, there are other parts of life that are equally important. Eating well, exercising, finding hobbies you love. These are integral to a healthy post-graduate life-style.
4. Get involved.
It's never too late to try something new. Maybe you'll discover a passion you never knew you had! New experiences are going to be a part of our lives no matter what stage we are in, so let's embrace them. Also, having a variety of life experiences in college is a great way to come across well-rounded in a job interview.
5. Be you.
Yes, I saved the sappiest for last. But honestly, out there in the real world people don't want fake versions of ourselves walking around like robots. They want genuine. They want reality. Don't wait until after college to be independent. Start finding your unique identity now!
For all you December-graduates out there, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
For those taking a victory lap, bless your soul.