It’s almost the end of April and then May is here. We all know what that means summer is coming so graduation must be near. Most seniors, like myself, have been avoiding this dreadful “g” word since the school year began back in August. Now it’s unavoidable. Our caps and gowns are hanging in our closet, parents are hassling us to get “big kid” jobs, student loans are staring us in the face and we do everything with the thought “this could be our last time”. Underclassman, it’s time for you to hear a few kind words of advice before you continue your undergraduate career.
1. You’re not too cool.
Every year without fail this happens, every new incoming class gets this attitude that they are “too cool” for every event your Student Activities Council put’s on. Guess what? You’re not. More or less every one of these events are FREE. As college students isn’t the word FREE collectively our favorite word? So take advantage of it. Some of these outing and trips will become some of your best memories.
2. Skip a class or two.
Okay hear me out, I’m not telling you skip a whole weeks’ worth of class or miss so many you fail but I am saying it’s not a big deal. Refrain from skipping because you’re just lazy. But your best friend or roommate says lets go water sliding on the hill on a beautiful day, go do it. If it’s a snow storm outside and your group of friends are playing in the snow, go play with them. You have an opportunity to drive three hours away to see an amazing concert, guess what? Go do it! You have four years to act a little reckless, why waste it?
3. Get involved.
This can go along with the “you’re not too cool rant”. There are at least a group or organization for every possible thing at your university. So do it. I’ve known groups that travel to different countries for a couple hundred dollars. Also – this is a huge resume builder. Especially Greek life and all the leadership skills and connections it can provided for you.
4. Spend a semester abroad.
There is nothing else like this. You live in a different country for four months. It can be scary as hell but worth more than any experience you could ever think of. You make friends all of the world and even some that are back at home in the states. You will learn how to travel like a professional, live without your phone on a daily basis, eat the best food, and gain another home away from home.
5. It goes by way to fast – don’t take this for granted.
Going to college is becoming more of a norm than it ever used to be but this doesn’t mean everyone has this amazing opportunity. Most seniors I know would gladly go back through orientation, moving in for the first time, getting lost on your first day of classes, and that awkward transition of finding your way and friends. It will get stressful and the thought of dropping out will occur more than once a semester.
Before you leave your school, do everything, be kind to everyone, go to sporting events, SAC events, get involved, go on trip and just do everything. These are the best four years of your life so make each year truly count.
