Senioritis is the feeling that hits both high school and college seniors and can be defined as "a supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance," according to Oxford Living Dictionaries. It's the time where all college seniors are starting to realize their college careers are coming to an end, and that the real world is about to begin. During the final weeks leading up to graduation, seniors feel a whirlwind of emotions which can include excitement, nervousness, fear, happiness and relief. But don't worry, seniors - you're not alone. We are all in this together, and we are sharing many of the same emotions and thoughts. Here are thirteen thoughts you may be having as the final countdown to graduation begins:
1. "I cannot wait to walk across that stage, get my diploma and leave college (and school work) behind me."
College has been a long four years of your life, and you're more than ready to put all the school work, studying, tests and textbooks behind you. No more late nights in the library pulling an all-nighter to study for a test the next day or to finish a paper that you waited until the last minute to start. No more sitting in a lecture listening to your professor for 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes. Kiss your undergraduate year's goodbye, and say hello to the "real world," or grad school, whichever path you take.
2. "But, I have to say goodbye to all my friends...what am I going to do without them being in the same city as me?"
One minute you're excited, the next you're sad about leaving all the friends that you've made over these past four years. You're all going to go your separate ways and take different paths. Some friends you will keep in contact with, others you may not. As you reach the end of your senior year, you start to cherish all your time together before it comes to an end in just a few weeks.
3. While applying for jobs: "Another one....another one....another one...how come all my friends already have interviews?"
At this point (or even earlier) in the semester, seniors are applying for potential jobs. You are drowning up to your eyeballs in cover letters, portfolios, job postings and resumes. You apply, apply and apply for what seems like hundreds of jobs waiting for someone to give you a chance and offer you an interview. It seems as though everyone has a job lined up for post-graduation - and of course, you let that get to you - BUT don't worry. You'll get your shot!
4. "I have to go out as many nights as possible because this is the last time I'll be able to go out like a college student."
You find yourself trying to go out as many nights as possible because after graduation, you may not be able to go out as often and party as hard as you can in college. Plus, this is the last couple of weeks you can go out in your college town to the various bars and clubs with all of your friends. It's time for you to live it up, and you're only young once, right?
5. "Am I going to be broke once I graduate if I can't find a job? What am I going to do?"
Maybe you don't have a job lined up yet or only work a minimum wage type of job. The panic can hit you like a ton of bricks when you feel the uncertainty of your future (and your bank account). You start running down the list of "What if ____ happens? What am I going to do? How am I going to afford to live?" It's like a black hole that never seems to end.
6. When you get your shot: "PLEASE HIRE ME!"
"Pretty please? I promise I am hardworking, knowledgeable, friendly and a team player." When you get the interview, you're excited but also nervous because you want it to go perfectly. You want them to hire you, and if begging for your shot would be acceptable - you would so do it.
7. "What is 'adulting' and how do I 'adult?'"
Being an adult can be hard, and for some soon-to-be graduates (myself included), you're parents do a lot of things for you, which is completely okay. "Adulting" includes many different tasks and responsibilities than you are used too, and it can look scary from the outside. It's something that takes some getting used to, but adulting can't be that hard....or maybe it can.
8. "If I don't pass this class, will I still be able to graduate?"
Minimal effort - that's the key ingredient to any senior who is weeks away from graduating. You want to do very little as your time comes to an end at your university and that may mean putting in very minimal effort that puts you at risk of not passing. You may end up skimming by and getting a passing grade. As long as you pass and can graduate, then you're happy.
9. "How am I going to decorate my cap?"
10. "If I don't pay my parking ticket(s), will I not be able to graduate?"
Parking tickets aren't cheap, and as a broke college student, trying to pay them back can be a struggle. You wait as long as possible before paying that $20 ticket and even contemplate not paying it before graduating. Paying a $20 ticket or using the money to go out on a Friday or Saturday night...that's a tough one.
11. "Will my cap and gown fit? I mean I am 5 feet 2 inches tall. This might be a problem."
Some of us are just naturally short, and gowns just eat us alive if we aren't giving the proper size. It's a #shortpersonproblem for sure, and with caps and gowns, you never really know how they are going to fit until you put them on. Fingers crossed that they fit and that you look decent in them because graduation gowns are made to be unflattering, I swear.
12. "Can I just stay a little longer?"
Even though you are excited to leave, part of you wants to hold on. Hold on to the memories, the familiarity, the college life and to the university that has become a big part of who you are. It can be tough to feel so conflicted, but your university will always be the place where you grew into the person you were meant to be. It will always be home no matter how far you go.
13. "I am so thankful for all the people (family, friends, professors, etc.) who have helped me get here."
Don't forget to thank your parents, significant other, friends, professors or mentors and the people who have helped get you to where you are. These people or a specific person has had your back and has lifted you up and supported you through your four years in college. Everyone's situation is different, but you can't help but feel grateful for those who have helped you get to graduation. You guys are the real MVPs.
Good luck to you class of 2017s. Your future is bright, and these next few weeks are going to be the last memories you make as an undergraduate student, so live it up.
