The first year of college feels like the beginning of a lifetime, like these next four years will never end. By the time senior year rolls around, it truly feels like time couldn't possibly move any faster, and all you can do is hope the world might stop spinning and everything will slow down before they make you graduate. As a senior, you don't realize how much everything changes until you take a second to look back on the past four years and remember how many dumb things you did as a freshman. These are the eight major ways your thoughts change from your freshman to senior year of college.
1. Date Dashes
Freshman Year
"I need to take the perfect date, there's no chance I'll be going by myself that's social suicide. This is so much pressure!"
Senior Year
"I don't think I'm taking a date, I'd rather go by myself so I can bust a move with my friends and not have to worry about paying attention to some dude."
2. Pool Parties
Freshman Year
"This is the best day of the week, I thrive on Pool Party Saturdays! This is why I came to Arizona. I'm going to wear my cutest and most scandalous bikini and get so drunk!"
Senior Year
"Pool party? HA! No thanks. Who wants to go lay out by the pool and casually drink a beer? Or maybe let's just skip it all together, and go to Illegal Pete's and drink some margs."
3. Getting ready to go out
Freshman Year
"I can't wait to put on the tightest dress I own and my highest wedges, they don't hurt that bad I swear, for another night at the frats! I have at least 100 dresses and skirts I can wear, getting ready to go out is so fun!"
Senior Year
"Do you think I can get away with wearing sweatpants to the bars tonight or no? Okay, fine I'll wear jeans, but I'm absolutely not wearing wedges because #bootiesforlife. Why do I never have any good going out clothes?"
4. Showing up for class
Freshman Year
"I need to get there at least 20 minutes early if I want a good seat. Oh, and I have to make sure my outfit is cute and my hair looks good before I go! There are so many cute boys in all of my classes."
Senior Year
*Five minutes before class starts* "Perfect timing to head to my class that's across campus. Nothing like rolling out of bed and heading to class, still in my makeup from last night. Maybe I'll even stop and get Starbucks on the way."
5. Going out
Freshman Year
"I LOVE the frats, I can't wait to drink in someone's room, grind on the dance floor, take 10000 selfies and take handle pulls of plastic vodka. The 5-1 girl to guy ratio totally doesn't bother me."
Senior Year
"Going out is so expensive and I would probably rather watch Netflix alone in my bed all night, but Maloney's Tuesday's gives me life, so I guess no complaints. At least, I get to hang out with all my guy friends who aren't in frats and drink mixed drinks instead of taking shots."
6. Meals
Freshman Year
"I love that my meal plan includes Starbucks and that I can order Papa Johns late at night! The Union has so many options and I'll never get sick of it and the Cellar is awesome!"
Senior Year
"If I have to look at Panda Express or smell Papa Johns pizza ever again in my life I will throw up, guaranteed. Blessed to now have a car so I can go to Sauce and Choice every single day."
7. School work
Freshman Year
"I'm taking 19 units and two 9 a.m. classes which are no big deal because I started high school way earlier than that. When I'm done with class I have so much homework and studying to do, I'll definitely be pulling an all nighter and staying up late studying most weeknights."
Senior Year
"My first class starts at 11 a.m. so I almost never make it on Wednesdays, I blame you Maloney's. Obviously, I haven't had a Friday class in two years because those are for noobs. I can't even remember the last time I had to pull an all-nighter because I barely have homework anymore. Who wants to go to Frog at 3 p.m.?"
8. Thinking about the future
Freshman Year
"I have so much time to decide what I want to do after college. I might even change my major or add a minor, maybe I'll go abroad, who knows!"
Senior Year
"Dear God I'm expected to get a job in three months and do real life adult things?! No one is ever going to hire me, I'm doomed to live at home forever and my life is a joke please send help."