“When did I become a senior in college?”

“There is no way I am a senior in college.”

“I am not old enough to be a senior in college.”

“I am too young to have had 3 years under my belt.”

“I am too young to join the workforce in under 9 months.”

“I am not ready for this experience to be over.”

These thoughts race through my head on an almost daily basis. Senior year is approaching very fast – much too fast. It is crazy to fathom how fast the past three years have gone. These are the years I have always looked forward to, imagining that they would be the best years of my life. In a blink of an eye, the college experience I have looked forward to has a greater presence in my rear view mirror than in my windshield. That’s scary; very scary.

In reflection, there are countless things that have impacted my journey through my undergrad career. Countless classes: the good, the bad, the mandatory, and the elective. Countless professors: the good, the bad, the boring, and the inspiring. Countless individuals: the good, the bad, the draining, and the supportive. Countless experiences: the good, the bad, the ordinary, and the unforgettable.

There are the experiences that you know you will remember forever: the terrible roommates, traveling to watch the men’s basketball team play in the NCAA tournament, competing in the women’s volleyball NCAA tournament, the awesome roommates, traveling abroad, the amazing friends.

Then there are the moments that that seemed insignificant in the moment: receiving a text from my roommate wishing me good luck before a stressful exam, being surprised a coffee from my best friend just because, being picked up from class by my teammates while I was on crutches, being taken out to dinner by my parents on a random Tuesday night. The little things (and the big things, I guess) are the things I am going to miss the most about college.

Is there any other time in one’s life that you get to be around your friends almost 24/7 and drink an entire bottle of wine on a Wednesday? Is there any other time in one’s life that you get to roll out of bed 10 minutes before you have to be somewhere and arrive totally unpresentable?

Is there any other time in one’s life that you are impacted by such a diverse group of individuals and have the opportunity to get to know them on a deep level? Is there any other time in one’s life that you get to experience so much and watch yourself transform and grow?

College is intimidating. It is filled to the brim with new experiences, new people, and new memories. As I reflect on the past three years, I think I have embraced the uncertainties and unknown and made the absolute most of my past years.

As I look toward the next 9 months left of my college life, I plan to fill, actually overflow, my expectation of my college experience. I plan to embrace the big moments. I plan to recognize the small moments. I plan to reflect on the impact every moment has on my experience. I plan to make this year the best one yet. Cheers to senior year!