I never thought I’d see the day that in college I wouldn’t have time for a social life, until I embarked on junior year. It even sounds so weird to say it- junior year. That is insane. I have no idea where the last two years have gone but I all I know is now, I actually have to get my life together. Syllabus week doesn’t exist anymore, I find myself staying in on thirsty Thursdays, and putting a lot of things in my life on hold due to the fact that I’m always doing work.

I have to accept the fact that I possibly peaked in sophomore year, and although it was the best year of my life so far, I need to work harder and play less. I walked into my first day of classes and by the end of the day was already overwhelmed with all of the work assigned and I thought to myself: “how is this happening already?” I don’t think I necessarily prepared myself for what this year would bring, but now I know… it’s real.

Beer cans need to be replaced with coffee for all of the nights I'll stay up trying to finish the endless amount of assignments. “Getting ahead” is nearly impossible because at this point I’m trying to build my resume, so all of my extra time goes to extra curricular activities and working. Instead of binge watching shows on Netflix, I have to be applying to internships and opportunities for the future, because if I don’t have internship experience, I’ll never get a job.

A job. I can’t believe that at this point I’m thinking about a career for the rest of my life- it’s actually terrifying. I start to realize how competitive it is in the real world and know that the carefree part of my life is now over. I asked myself “where does my social life fit into this?” It doesn’t. From here on out I realize that I have to start giving up going out with friends and getting drunk 3+ days out of the week because going to class still drunk just isn’t an option anymore. If that doesn’t depress you enough just think about all of the naps ill have to give up to cram assignments and studying before classes. Beauty sleep just doesn’t exist at this point so coffee will have to do for now.

This is the most defining year of college, and basically of my life so far. I thought that I was ready to tackle everything coming my way but I was so wrong. Not that I thought that it would be easy but I can tell with this course load, homework, actual work, extra curricular activities, and having a job may just destroy me. I do, however, know that it will be worth it in the end. Cheers to junior year, I hope I survive!