This fall, I am a fifth year senior. I have had relatives ask me if I failed a class or what went wrong that I needed to stay an extra year. I have been asked why bother paying for an extra year of school or why not find a good husband instead of getting a degree. I never got lower than a C in a class and didn't do anything wrong except get into my program during my sophomore year. School may be expensive, but so are weddings. I have plenty of time to think about marriage, but I am almost done with my degree, so why quit now? Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a fifth year senior (or "super senior," if you prefer).
Some of you may have decided to change your major. Not everyone finds their perfect fit when they are a freshman, and that's ok! Sometimes you have to explore and find what major fits you best. Maybe you were originally a nursing major and decided you would rather explore graphic design. Maybe you started as undecided and found a passion for psychology.
Or, let's say, maybe you did fail a class and you are retaking it. Why should that be viewed as being the worst that could happen? Maybe there was one test that you were not ready to take or the professor's teaching style was complicated. Getting back up and trying again instead of letting the failure stay on your transcript is a good thing.
There are good things that come along with being a fifth year senior too. I get another year to be on campus and prepare to say goodbye to the place that has been my home since I was 18. When you have been here long enough, you are on a first-name basis with the employees ("Hi, Linda! Good to see you again!") and even campus police officers ("What's up, J.R?"). It feels sad knowing that, when you graduate, you might not see them again. The whole environment feels like home, and it is good to be able to have another year to feel at home.
In addition, I get to be with my friends who are still students and make some more college memories. Even though some of my friends graduated back in May, I am able to spend time with the friends who are still here. I also have time to mentally prepare myself for living in the real world and getting a real job. I can plan where I want to get a job, what kind of apartment in which I would live, and build up my credit to move out of my parents' house. Best of all, I have the ability to pay for a coffee with a meal plan instead of money (haha).
I know that I will have to say goodbye to college life someday. With graduation less than nine months away, it is a sad thought. Until graduation day comes, I am going to embrace every second I have with my fifth and final year in college.
