In movies and shows, your senior year of college is depicted as this holy year, and everyone who's anyone knows that you're a senior. Hell, even the freshmen who have never seen you before already know that you're a senior. I'm sorry to inform you, but that is not true. There are a lot of things we believe about senior year until we actually get there and realize that everything we thought we knew was a huge lie. Some things remain the same throughout the years though, and there might even be a thing or two that's similar to senior year of High School..
1. "Senior" is not branded on your forehead.
2. Seriously, nobody knows the difference between you and the freshmen behind you.
3. You still can't get away with things.
The rules apply to you until you leave campus, sorry. You'll be held more accountable as a senior than you probably would have as a freshman. We're adults now, I guess.
4. You can't slack off because you've done good previous years.
If you even want to think about going to get your Master's Degree... don't slack off. They look at everything. Do you really want to risk having to stay here another year? Get it together.
5. Besides, you'll have just as much, if not more work than previous years.
Theses, capstones, seminars. So much work, so little time.
6. Senior Skip Day is too dangerous to attempt
Maybe in High School this was totally acceptable, but in college, you never know what you'll miss. Even if you thoroughly examine that syllabus, your professor(s) might not take too kindly to you not being there and just might throw a pop quiz. Oh, and you won't have the option to make it up either. Not only that, but you face the risk of falling dreadfully far behind.
7. This still is not easy.
8. Not even a little.
9. The "bar scene" is a joke now.
It's a scary place to be when people there are probably not even legally able to drink.
10. You actually have to worry about a job.
You probably don't realize yet, but student loan payments are a very scary thing.
11. And by worry, I mean actively search for one.
There's no time like the present. Like right now actually. I don't think you want to declare bankruptcy at 22 years old.
12. Graduation will be here faster than you think.
Ready or not, here it comes..
Nonetheless, this year is one for the books, not by the books. Enjoy it while you can, because when the time for graduation comes, embrace it. You don't really have a choice anymore. You'll be off to do adult things. It's absolutely terrifying, but it'll be oh so satisfying in the end.
