Seeing the new freshman struggle to find their way around campus can really make a guy feel old. Week two of senior year has come to an end, leaving quite a few emotions to run around inside my head. Here's a list of emotions that I like to think are 100% justified as I enter senior year of college.
1. Happiness
Don't get me wrong, I've thoroughly enjoyed my time spent at the University of Tampa. Hell, I finished high school in three years just so I could get down here quicker. With that being said, I'm relieved knowing that I will soon accomplish something I've been working at for a few years now. All of my hard work will finally pay off when I walk across the stage and accept my diploma, and knowing that will definitely get me through my short time left at UT. Not to mention the fact that I won't have to keep adding onto my already existing pile of student loans.
Lord knows what else I could be spending that money on, but I guess an education is probably more important, right?
2. Sadness
Before you say, "well how can this guy be both happy and sad about graduating," let me first try to explain myself. Although I'll be happy when it's all over, that doesn't mean a big part of me won't miss goofing off with the friends I've made here over the years. Plus college is WAY easier than being a civilized adult. And yes, I will definitely miss having my parents paying for all of my meals on campus.
3. Fear
Alright, fear may have been a bit of an over simplification. The fact of the matter is, I am truly scared shitless. Come this May, I will have to get a real job and actually become a productive member of society. I've gotten pretty comfortable with this whole college lifestyle, and I don't exactly know if I want it to end just yet. Sure, on one hand I like to think I'm ready to go out and get myself a job, you know, be a man, but doesn't that mean the easy ride is over? Please, say it isn't so.
4. Jealousy
I'll be the first guy to admit that I am truly jealous of the underclassmen here at UT. Not only do they have four of the best years of their lives ahead of them, but they've also got new dorms and facilities being built year after year. Even though I moved off campus a couple years ago, I think I'm still allowed to be at least a little bit envious of the younger students placed in these ridiculously nice dorm rooms. But, the dorms aren't really the underlying factor fueling my jealousy.
What really gets me the most is that I only have two semesters of using the new gym on campus. Eight months isn't enough time. I suppose it could always be worse though. I could've been like my older brother who had to work out at one of the smallest gyms ever for his four years at UT, just to graduate as they were constructing the new, gigantic gym. Tough break, Taylor.
Whether I'm ready or not, and everything goes according to plan, I will be graduating this upcoming May. Even though that may be more than a little bit frightening to think about, I'm still excited to be moving onto the next stage of my life. Whatever that may be.