To my fellow future college grads,
Senior year of college can be overwhelming. It is a time when you have to figure out whether to continue on with your education, or try to find a job. You may have to look at different grad schools and their programs or apply for internships. Either way, you are filling out numerous applications while still finishing up school. Some days it may feel like the world is crashing down around you. It is OK to not know what you want to do. It is OK to feel anxiety about assignments. This is a big moment in your life.
There have been times when I have doubted myself in regards to my education. There are days when I feel on top of the world and know what I am doing. However, for every good day there are also days when I feel like I am the worst student in my major. I question every word I write, and I tell myself my peers are smarter than me. From talking with friends, I know I am not alone in feeling this way. We are soon going to be college grads, and we need to stop belittling ourselves.
You have worked very hard to get to this point in your life. There have been long nights of studying and writing papers (thank God for caffeine), but graduation is just around the corner. I think the second semester of senior year is harder because of senioritis (it is a real thing). There are moments when I want to check out, grab my diploma, and be done. I want to move on with my life and be at that stage where I am making a living, married, and starting a family. Often, I find myself trying to fast forward through life, but then I have to remind myself to not skip ahead. It is easy to think that if you can get past these next two weeks, months, or years, things will be better. However, you need to live in the moment.
You may have a senior project or paper, but try to enjoy this time with your friends. This is the time in your life where friends are family. You get to live with them and be with them 24/7. Do not take it for granted. You may have some nights where you need space or quiet to do homework, which is fine, but remember to have fun. Stay up late and binge watch Netflix with friends, go on late night adventures, or ordering food at 3 a.m. Once graduation comes, it is time to be an adult. Appreciate these last few months of freedom.
Senior year (hopefully) only happens once. I know there are numerous activities, events, and emotions going on, but try to enjoy it. When you are stressed, remind yourself that it is only temporary. When you are hanging out with friends in your dorm, remind yourself that this is temporary. Treasure every moment and do not race through your senior year.
Love,
A nervous and excited girl about to graduate.
