Summer break is halfway through. I have a month and a half left before the start of senior year. Part of me is excited for it to begin, while the other part of me is absolutely terrified to be here. It feels like yesterday that I was starting my freshman year of college. Three years have gone by, and I have grown in so many ways that I never thought possible.
With a month of summer left, I am in the process of looking at potential graduate schools. The thought of applying terrifies me, but in conversation with others about the grad school process I feel at ease. If my senior year is anything like the last three years of college, it will probably go by in a blink of an eye.
This year is different, though. Although the last three years of college have been great and I look forward to a new one at the end of every summer, I am not looking forward to this last year. Everything in my life is about to change.
This last year is going to be filled with new memories, both good and bad. It's going to be filled with stress, sadness, reflection, happiness, and feelings I can't predict. My biggest question now is "How am I going to deal with these sudden changes?" The answer to that is "Who knows?"
One thing that I do plan on doing is taking senior year one day at a time. This, of course, will look different for everyone because we all deal with change differently. For me, I want to make senior year the most memorable year of college.
I am going to take as many opportunities as I can. I will go out and spend time with my friends. I will do things for me and not anyone else. That's the most important piece of advice that I want to embody during my senior year.
Senior year is the time when I plan on reflecting about my entire undergraduate experience. I'll also have to make the most important decisions of my life. Should I accept this job? Or should I continue my education? Then, with either of those decisions, I have to take into account where I want my life to go. Do I want to leave Stockton, California? Do I want to travel? These are just some of the thoughts that go through my head as I consider what comes next.
I also am scared to see where my friendships will go after college. Will they fall apart or will they continue? One thing I know for sure is that I have to put forth the effort to keep those relationships alive. I can't wait to see what the future holds in store for my friends and want to continue to be a part of their life.
The future is uncertain. There are so many things that can and will happen. The only thing that I can do is accept them and take it one day at a time.
But whatever the future holds, I am ready to see what comes next!
