Dear Senior Year,

You're quickly approaching, only a few days left until my last first day of classes. It feels like I have been waiting so long for you to come...four years to be exact. On that first night in my brand new dorm room, living away from my parents for the first time in my life, I made a mental note: only 8 semesters until graduation. To my 18 year old, freshman-self the days could not pass quickly enough. I wished away the semesters between then and 2017.

Now, I am wishing to be that freshman again, packing up my father's truck with stuff, half of which I would never actually need, and starting my college career all over again.

Starting over again sounds wonderful, but unfortunately, is completely impossible. The only thing left to do is ignore that bitter feeling, the apathy that accompanies senior year in regards to schedule making, textbook purchasing, classes, and homework...you know senioritis, and enjoy the small amount of time that is left.

So, Senior Year, I vow to say 'yes' more. Even on those nights when the pile of homework on my desk is enormous and I have been up for an ungodly amount of hours, those nights when sleep seems like the best, if only possible option. I promise to say 'yes' to the random adventures my friends are begging me to take; late night drives to spontaneous bar trips or even a night at Applebee's with margaritas and half-priced apps.

Aside from making the time I have left memorable, I want to make it useful and productive, too. Finishing resumes, preparing for that walk to my diploma and the changing of the tassle's side, and starting the job search are all on my to-do list. Sadly, my last year here cannot be all play and no work, although that would be awesome.

So, I'll still hand in my assignments on time, show up meetings, go to class, but I'll hopefully remember to appreciate it all a little bit more, even the mundane parts of college life.

For the first time in the four years the real world is visible on the horizon. It is full of big girl, full-time jobs and bills to pay. Senior year feels like that train sitcom period between carefree college student to the beginnings of being a mature, functioning adult.

So, cheers to senior year. To doing it all one last time; the late nights, early mornings, too much homework, and too many glasses of wine. Hopefully it's the best one, yet.

Maybe in May life outside of campus will seem just a little less scary.