Graduation and the days leading up to it were full of so many emotions that I thought I might burst. One minute I was busting a gut laughing and the next I was quiet and watching everyone else enjoy themselves. It was like an out of body experience--I was there but I wasn't really. I loved the way I felt but I knew it couldn't last. Bittersweet is the best way to describe everything I was feeling. Friends I hadn't gotten to hang out with all year made a space in their schedule and new friends soaked up all the time they could get. I did so many things in my last two weeks of school and thankfully homework was on the bottom of the list (cue "I Lived" by OneRepublic).
The last thing I did was go get Subway with a friend who is going to be a junior and before I could leave she asked me "What's your best piece of advice for junior year and senior year?" So I figured I would give my best advice for every class here.
Incoming freshman, welcome to college! This is a great time to get involved and make friends to be a support system for the coming years. I failed at this step because I thought doing extra things would make college harder, but it actually makes it easier. Having a place to go, do what you love to do, and be with people who share that love is a great way to blow off steam from the stress of schoolwork. I waited until my junior year to get into something and I deeply regret that. Thankfully, I was in college for five years and so I was only uninvolved for the first two. Don't allow your zeal in freshman year to get ahead of you. If you overcommit for sophomore year thinking it will be as easy as freshman year, you are very wrong and you'll struggle the whole way.
Sophomores, better buckle up because you're in for a ride! This is the year where the rubber meets the road. This was the most difficult academic year by far because the carefree mentality of freshman year is gone, but the end goal is still very far away. Chances are your friend groups will be shifting too, because people either didn't return or they found people they had more in common with. Just roll with the punches. All of this is going to be difficult for you, but you will make it. Stick to what you love. Hopefully you didn't overcommit. If you think you did and there are some things you can walk away from and it won't fall to pieces, you should probably do it. Quitting isn't weak. Learn to balance.
Juniors, you're halfway to the goal. Hopefully by this time you've found your rhythm and know what you can handle. Put as much effort as you can on your studies now, because you've gotten most of the general classes out of the way and these are for your future job. Don't gyp your friends in some hangout time though because this is the year you'll feel lonely. You and the squad will probably be in different classes all day long because chances are most of you aren't in the same major. Make time for your friends. This is the year you're going to have to intentionally plan time with them.
Seniors, you are practically staring the finish line in the face! This is the year to live it up. I made a commitment to allow my grades to slide a bit in order to balance out my life. I know that sounds entirely counterproductive, but it was entirely necessary. I did everything I always told myself I would do but never got around to. I said everything I wanted to say but had put off. I forgave anyone who had ever offended me. I still passed all my classes with decent grades. My best advice is to do what you have to do in order to maintain your scholarships and let anything above and beyond that go. Have fun with your friends and celebrate everything you can. Never again will you all be a stone's throw from each other's doors. Take advantage of this time to solidify your friendships. The goodbyes were harder than I ever thought they would be. I cried every day for two weeks before graduation. Let yourself feel all the emotions and don't bottle them, or else you're going to lose your mind on graduation day. Saying goodbye is never easy but you could spare yourself some pain.
I also have some advice that applies no matter what class you're in. Never be afraid to strike up a conversation. Don't be concerned with someone's class when considering befriending them. Go to the cheesy school events. Complain to student government when you want something changed. Give people grace in their shortcomings because we all have them. Scream like a maniac at the sporting events. Work a job you love. Celebrate every victory, whether it's a project you finished, an internship you got, a birthday or the engagement of a friend. Life on this planet can be truly depressing at times, so take the time to celebrate. Work out. Eat the yummy foods. This is a once in a lifetime experience.
That about wraps it up. Hopefully, this advice steers you well in your future years. Until next time, friends.
