School is a great place to learn and meet people (no matter what age you are). However, there is something about being in your last year of school that is remarkable. Whether you're a senior in high school or a senior in college, you know what I am talking about. Life at school is coming to an end in some way or another, and a new stage of life is around the corner. Depending on your personality, this is either very scary or exciting to think about. On that note, here are five things that make senior year different than every other year of school life.
1. Senioritis
There is something called "senioritis" that students hear about throughout their years at school. If you have never heard of this, you can do a quick Google search to find out that it is "a supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance."
The thing is, you think it is just an excuse that seniors make up because they don't want to do school work. However, once you get to senior year, you realize that senioritis is real! There is something about being in your final year of school that makes finishing your school work more challenging than ever before. My theory is that seniors are more concerned about figuring their next step and soaking up their time with freinds that homework and projects are a more daunting task than ever before.
Even one of my friends who is an honors student said she is having a difficult time finding motivation and not procrastinating. In the end, you just have to get everything done.
2. Wedding Fever
Surely, you see people getting married throughout your life. But in your final stage of school - senior year in college- you definitely see many of your peers are planning to get married. You see proposals all over social media, get handed save the dates, and receive invitations in the mail. It's very exciting to see the people you love choosing to tie the knot. Even though this may put a sense of urgency to find love for many people, the truth is that the celebrations are fun, love is in the air, and the joy is contagious.
3. You will be asked about post-graduation plans A LOT
As you look ahead at graduating, you are just trying to figure out how you are going to find a job and start paying off your loans. Additionally, everyone you talk to who knows you are a senior will ask you what your plans are after you graduate. Whether you have to choose a college or find a job, these questions can get annoying or cause anxiety when you can't answer the question yourself. My advice is to just be prepared for the question because it will come up in conversation. And rest assured that you will eventually figure something out.
4. Time with your friends
It's exciting to spend time with your friends senior year because you look back on all the times you had together. The cool thing is that you know the friends you have senior year will likely be the friends who will be there for you after college too. They were the ones to stick by your side through everything, so they will stick around for whatever comes next. So, make the most of the time you have to go on adventures together. Even if your post-graduate plans may take you to different places, don't let that stop you from keeping in contact.
5. Time flies!
Your first day freshman year is nerve racking and exciting all at the same time. Next thing you know, you find yourself in senior year. It seems like everything happened in the blink of an eye. It's funny to look at the different ways you have developed as a person. You worried about buying books freshman year of college, and during senior year of college you waited to see how long you could go without buying the course textbook or you had wonderful friends who gave you their books and notes.
So, don't count the days; make each day count. No matter what stage of life you find yourself in, just remember to cherish each moment as you transition to your next adventure.
