Dear Colleg seniors,

The time is upon us. The time to think about what we have done and where we are headed. Seniors graduating in December will be halfway done with their final semester in undergrad. Those graduating in May are a quarter of the way done with their final year, and will soon be choosing the classes that they will take for their final semester. If any of you are like me, you feel a bittersweet mix of relief, anxiety, elation, sadness, and, most of all, fear. It feels like two minutes ago, we finished our junior year; an hour ago, we were halfway through undergrad; just the other day, we were bright-eyed freshmen just stepping foot on campus; a year ago, we were so happy to say so long to high school. But now? Now, I want to hold onto every second I spend in class, in my clubs, at my on-campus jobs, and never let go even if I am bored out of my mind sometimes.

But, alas, I cannot (and most people cannot) stay in school forever. The world beckons to us, calling on us even though we did not raise our hands, telling us to get a 'real' job and pay our taxes. Sallie Mae is chomping at the bit for an obligatory six months before telling us it's a stick-up and to give them all our money. Responsibility looms in the shadows, ready to jump us as we walk off that commencement stage, already reaching out gripping our shoulders and whispering "you need a job before school ends. Only a couple months (or about seven if you graduate in May) until you're out in the great big world you always wanted to see."

All I'm trying to say is that we should embrace the time we have left in undergrad. Go crazy on your homework. Research the hell out of that paper. Speak up in that class where you always want to talk, but you wait too long and someone else says what you thought and gets all the credit for it. If you have room in your schedule, take that fun class you always wanted to your final semester. Join that club you never thought you had time for, but really did. Get together with your friends to play video games, sing karaoke, play board games, reminisce, make new memories you can reminisce over when your children or nieces or nephews or whoever decide they want to go to college.

But most of all, think of all you have accomplished in your years at college. Think of all of the things you have yet to accomplish. Think about how much it means to you and all your supporters that you have made it this far and will continue suceeding in life. When you walk across that stage to receive your degree, don't think about how much you paid for that lovely piece of paper; rather, think about all the knowledge you gained and all the memories you made, and ask yourself "was it worth it?" The answer should be yes, and if, right now, you know the answer wouldn't be yes, go on with your bad self and make sure it will be.

Sincerely,

A Senior Making Sure Her Time in College Was Worth It