When junior year came to a close, you were probably thankful to be done with finals and headed towards the sunny beaches away from all your stress and problems. Until you realized that the end of junior year actually means the beginning of your senior year.

We all know that along with the new found power and entitlement, also comes a roller coaster of emotions. Through both the tears of joy and sorrow, in the end you are still a senior and since there’s no going back here are the 7 stages of handling the fact that you are officially in your final year of college.

1. Denial - “No, not yet. I haven’t had enough time. Is there a way I can stretch this into five years? Is six going over board?” 

This stage consists of figuring out how many ways you can prolong graduation. You decide that it isn’t really senior year until the first day of classes. Then you decide that actually it isn’t until your first test. Well technically it isn’t senior year until you turn 22. When all else fails you just have to ask people to not use the word “senior” in your presence. 

2. Regret - “But I never got to sneak onto the football field and I didn’t dance enough at Dance Marathon.” 

The start of senior year brings back so many memories of freshman year. You’ve come full circle and in doing so you realize that pretending to study for that test back in sophomore year probably wasn’t worth missing out on the memories from that awesome party all your friends are still talking about. Your FOMO is real and at an all time high.

3. Excitement - “At least my classes will be super easy and I won’t have to work at all. Seriously, I’m taking wine tasting and yoga classes, this will rock.” 

This stage is the shortest and the sweetest. Realizing your the big man on campus also reminds you that you’re practically guaranteed football tickets to every game and you don’t really have to go to class. You may even make a bucket list of all the things you’ve always wanted to do on campus or in town.

4. Grief - “So if I graduate can I still come back for socials and date functions right? What do you mean ‘No’?” 

There will be tears of overwhelming nostalgia at every game, social and happy hour. Realizing that these cherished events will be your last ones is like a stab to the heart. Realizing that going out and getting sloshed on a Wednesday won’t be acceptable in the real world is even worse.

5. Panic - “Is there a job that combines napping and Netflix? Why did I never get an internship? Why did I major in Art? I should have been in the Business School.” 

The moment you figure out what life is like on the other side of the tassel you will want to give up your first born son to go back to freshman year. We all dream of the perfect job, but cubicles and having to be up by 7 a.m. are far less perfect. Even worse is not even knowing whether or not you will get one of the jobs you’ve been preparing for for the past four years.

6. Anger - “Ok if the words ‘what are you doing after you graduate’ come out of one more person’s mouth I will punch them.” 

The word ‘graduation’ induces a hulk like rage in you and you will want to beat up anyone who asks you what your future plans are. By the way, they will give you a look of disapproval if you say yolo-ing or funemployment.

7. Acceptance - Who are we kidding. You never truly get over the fact that the best years of your life are coming to an end and will soon just be a distant memory. I guess we can look forward to coming back to tailgates as alums?