Whether it was because you flunked a couple of classes or transferred school twice, it is totally okay to be a fifth-year senior. For me, it was because I transferred from EKU to JCTC, then transferring again to UK after graduating from JCTC. Another reason why I am a fifth-year senior is that I had to switch my area of study on my major from broadcast journalism to print journalism.
Whatever your reasons are for taking longer in college than normal, I just wanted to let you know it is okay. I'm sure my fellow fifth-year seniors can surely relate to these six points.
1. You are the only senior in a class full of freshmen
I took a freshman level theatre class last semester and because I was one of the oldest people, it felt weird. But when I started here at U.K., different kinds of seniors (senior citizens) were in my Spanish classes. Muy Viejo!
2. Senioritis is the most intense
Seriously, can I just graduate already, get myself a big boy job, and live happily ever after? I am literally counting down the days until graduation.
3. The triumphant feeling of being a professional college student
I proclaim myself the professional college student. I wear sweatpants a lot, I B.S. on papers, and I run on coffee, food, and little sleep. There is a certain finesse you have to have to be a true authentic college student and pass all of your classes.
4. The realization that as you advance in your college years, classes get harder
Seriously, if a freshman took these classes that I have right now, they would run out of the classroom crying. I have to pull story ideas out of my head from nothing and make them sing. It is not always easy to do. It takes a certain art of "bullcrapping" to pull them off. My classes are so hard right now, I just want to scream loudly.
5. The end is close ahead, but this is a marathon, not a race.
I can see the end of my college career. It is right there in front of me. I just need the strength, determination, and perseverance to endure the remaining obstacles of college to get across the finish line (aka the stage at graduation).