Doesn't it seem like yesterday you were watching your parents drive away teary-eyed from your residence hall? Three years later, you're entering your senior year in college. During those three years you have learned so much. Here are some of those things:
1. You learn to start the semester off organized.
As a freshman, you didn't know how to accordingly plan out your whole semester right in order to schedule studying, socializing and time off. By now, you know when those big tests are coming up, when you can take a weekend off, and when you can catch that concert in the next town over.
2. You learn not to stress so much about grades.
By your senior year, you learn that grades do not define who you are as a person. You are not what your transcript may make you out to be. All that time spent stressing on tests or big projects is in the past. Now, since you have your study habits and planning down, you're on top of your GPA.
3. You learn to take a break every now and then.
If you were one of those freshman who always took a break or one of those freshman who never took a break, by your senior year you have found a sweet balance between school, work and relaxation. Whether your type of break is a trip to the park, a nice long nap, an evening with friends, or a marathon on Netflix, you have identified what works for you and keeps you going throughout the semester.
4. You learn to surround yourself with people who challenge you.
When first getting to college, you surround yourself with so many new people regardless of their major, priorities or personality type simply for the sake of making new friends in your brand new environment. By your senior year, you learn who the genuine people are, the ones who challenge you to be the best version of yourself. Your friends are the ones who support you and motivate you. You narrow your friend group to those who have been there by your side, and you remove the toxic relationships you gained through your time in college.
5. You learn to say no.
Much like saying yes to being everyone's friend as a freshman, you also said yes to being a part of every type of organization or every friend outing. By your last year, you learn to say no to things that may put too much on your plate. You say no to situations you may not want to be in, especially socially. You find a sense of who you are as an independent person and formulate your choices around your unique mold. You learn how much you can and cannot handle as a person, and you come out better because of it.
6. You learn to prepare for the future.
As a freshman, you see the "big world" as 4+ years away. No need for planning right away when you have entry-level classes and friends to make. But as a senior you realize how soon you will be graduating and entering your career field of choice or continuing your education. Careers and grad school take a lot of planning, but you have your planning and your dreams down by now. You have had time to learn what you want to accomplish in life, now all you have to do is pursue it.
Being a senior in college can seem like a daunting role, especially with graduation less than a year away, but you have all your learned skills and planning at your side. Go after your dreams and finish college with a bang.
