Dear college senior,
First off, congratulations! You have made it to your last lap in the college marathon! You are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and success is just around the corner. That’s how your year starts off.
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As it progresses, you will start to see that light is coming from a freight train that's headed right at you. Now you'll have to study more, take more exams and juggle more. And you'll have to write a resume, cover letter and find a job on top of that? Like, what is that all about? You'll feel like you were 12-years-old just yesterday. You can't be just about to graduate from college, right?
Well, you are, and you have every right to be excited. You also have every right to be terrified. However, you feel, slow down enough to enjoy the last year of your college career. These are the days you will look back on forever. When you do look back, I hope you smile. But in this crazy time, I'll let you in on a little secret: You don’t have to have every single thing planned out. No one does.
We all start out winging it. You are not alone in this process. You will get that senior project done, finish that horrible term paper and walk out after the last exam, all in due time. You are going to be stressed trying to graduate and find a job, but it will come with time. These things don't happen over night. You have time.It may not be perfect, but it will get you to where you need to be. If you're unhappy, change it. Don’t ever settle. Don’t allow yourself to start panicking now. The secret no one tells you is that we are all just winging it. We are taking life day by day. We are making it up as we go.
Right now, I know you feel like life is speeding at 100 miles per hour, and you're overwhelmed. You're stressed. You're tired. Part of you is a little sad looking back to your freshman year when you just started. You find solace in the bittersweet memories of yourself growing up. Your early 20s are not easy. You feel like you have to have it all together, that you have to know exactly what you're doing and who you are. I promise you, that all comes with time and experience. Life is the best education you will get. Remember who you are, while you dream of who you want to become.
Unfortunately, these days won’t last. Part of you wants to get out as fast as you can, but the other part isn’t ready yet. And that’s perfectly okay. These contradictory feelings define senior year. So when life starts spinning, and you can’t catch your breath, it’s time to dance with your highest heels on, laugh so hard your fall off your bed, stay up late with your roommates, remember everyone makes mistakes and never ever quit.
The end of college might seem like a huge life chapter is coming to an end, but truly, it's the beginning of the rest of your life. Enjoy it and never take it for granted. Don’t try to slow it down, because you can’t. Try to go with the flow and go along with the ride. Don’t wish these days away because they will be gone forever. Love your education, the stress, your hard work and even all those hours spent studying. All these moments have not only made you who you are, but have prepared you for what is to come next.
