Some tips from a fifth year senior who’s in denial about going into the real world.

To those of you who are sadly bringing your college years to an end, and those who were in denial about it ending and decided to take a victory lap, here are ten tips to make this year your best. 

1. Appreciate your time with those you’ll leave behind come graduation day. Believe it or not, your college friends aren’t going to move wherever you move when you graduate. Unlike high school, your friends are from all over the country. Spend as much time as possible with your besties and bros, because California is pretty far from New Jersey.

2. Alumni will be your best friends. Network. Network. Network. Every college senior dreams of graduating with a well-paid job and avoiding living with their parents during that awkward two-year adjustment period. Networking with alumni will make that dream more realistic. Reach out to people in your field!        

3. There will always be naïve freshmen. It’s easy to prey on freshmen and if you’re a cougar, congrats. There will always be naïve freshmen in college, but you’ve matured. Go for a junior who won’t take it personally when you don’t call them back or give them back their cool spring rush shirt. 

4. Go out as much as possible. Who knows where you’ll be next year. But I guarantee that you won’t be able to drop everything you’re doing to go out with your best friends for a reckless night. Enjoy your date parties and socials, because dressing in your 80s attire won’t be as cute or funny when you’re 27. 

5. Drinks are always cheaper on college campuses. Go out a lot this year. Drinks are cheaper, there’s almost never cover and your friends will always be by your side while you’re here. Go ahead, splurge on 50¢ mixed drinks, happy hour, and $1 Fireball shots. In the real world, beers are $7.50 and no one will agree to do Fireball shots with you. 

6. Go to class. Don’t give up, now, you’re almost done! You’re at that point in your life when you can’t repeat classes. Getting lazy is part of every senior’s lifestyle, but don’t let it harm your grades. Even during your senior year, there will be professors who take attendance and reduce your grade when you miss too many classes. Can they just stop doing that already?

7. Be careful with social media. No one – I repeat, no one – wants to see your Throwback Thursday from sophomore year when you passed out naked in the hallway. Future employers will look you up and the regret will be far more memorable than the laughs you had at the time. 

8. Use protection. Nothing is worse than graduating college and heading into the real world with a baby or an STD. Stay safe. You won’t regret it in the long run. Enjoy being free – a.k.a. not tied down by anything or anyone – while you can. 

9. Your ex’s are your ex’s for a reason. Branch out. Don’t chase after your old flames and ex’s. Something didn’t work out and they probably made you miserable at some point in time. Live a little and meet some new guys and girls!    

10. This will eventually, and sadly, come to an end. These carefree, beer-filled four years of heaven will be over before you know it – five years, if you’re lucky. My parents will have to drag me off of my campus, kicking and screaming. These are the best years of your lives. Don’t ever take it for granted. 

Photo courtesy of wvutoday.wvu.edu