If you're a senior in college, you've undoubtedly spent many a sleepless night by now thinking about graduation. Worries range from the classes you still need, the organizations you have to pass on, what on Earth you're going to do/where you're going to work... It's a lot. And if you're a first generation college graduate, there may have been little to no prep for you as far as what exactly to expect. Hopefully, this will help you prep (or not feel so alone!) during the crisis that is
Senior Year: College Edition.
1. You Will Be Homesick
As the last months, and then weeks, then days, of your time at your chosen school come to a close you will feel more homesick than you have since freshman year. After leaving your own home, you came here. You made this space a haven and you've learned the ins and outs of its culture and problems and beauty. Each new challenge of senior year is another reason to call home, and the threat of the friends you've made during this time moving on to new adventures makes the temptation to cling to the family you have even stronger. Side note: Is this feeling you feel every time another friend says they're moving far away after graduation the same way your mom felt when you picked your school? If so, apologize. Profusely.
2. You Will Have Needlessly Strong Feelings About The Incoming Freshmen
Hate is a strong word, but it may apply in this case. As the time for you to leave your beloved home of 4 years draws closer, you'll start to realize that these new students are going to inherit your school. After you leave, they will be the next chapter of the legacy that you yourself have helped to build for however long this school has been your home. This may make you unnecessarily harsh regarding the students who don't know how lucky they are that they will be able to roam the quad after you've left the warm embrace of academia. Maybe they aren't very nice to the school librarian because they don't realize how many papers he's helped students through, or maybe they haven't figured out the traffic patterns of campus and make you late by blocking up your favorite shortcut. Although it's tempting to let this pride/jealousy/terror/hope combo harden you to the newest people among your student body; fight it. Use this energy to fuel your efforts on campus, and mentor the students who want your expertise. Believe it or not, they love your school too.
3. Graduation Applications Are A Thing.
Especially if there's no one else in your family who has been through the college process, this may come as a surprise to you the same as it did to me. In order to graduate from your chosen place of higher learning, you will likely need to complete some sort of application related to the number of credits and required classes you already have under your belt and your plan to finish the ones you still need. Depending on your major, this can be quite a process. Embrace the many meetings with your advisor, they know what they are doing. Also, there's no such thing as a stupid question. Everyone needs help through new experiences like this. Your academic advisor will be your tiny lifeboat of encouragement in this swirling vortex of bureaucracy and logistic red tape and you should definitely let them pull you out of the water.
4. The "Outside World" Is NOT Waiting For You
It is on your doorstep, and it's ready for you to be graduated already. Getting ahead as far as job offers and internships and where you want to live after you leave is insanely important. Hopefully, your school will have some sort of counseling for this or a career center to help you get prepped. If not, reach out to professors you trust. Getting an idea where you're trying to go is going to shape what you spend your time on senior year, and the kind of networking you need to get going. Don't wait for the diploma to start applying to every job you can see yourself going for. Believe it or not, this WILL help with your stress level. Knowing where you're going (or at least the direction you want to head in) is equivalent to the feeling after you take your last midterm of undergrad; there's still a ways to go, but a huge weight isn't yours to carry anymore.
5. You're Not Alone
It can be tempting to fall into the trap of trying to do senior year as a one person show; after all, you're an adult now! But there's a million tiny details that go into making a senior year work, and trying to balance it all will drive you insane. Rely on friends (upperclassmen and otherwise,) professors, your school's counselors, your academic advisor, and your family to help you cross the finish line on what's likely the biggest journey you've taken yet. The journey is yours. as is the diploma, but that doesn't mean you can't rely on the people who care about you. Besides, learning to use your resources (including the people around you) is a great skill to have for the rest of your life. The sleepless nights fueled by coffee and panic and deadlines can get really lonely, but they don't seem quite so daunting when it's everyone from your class packed into the computer lab panicking together. Let people help you, and lift up the other seniors in your life who are likely just as scared as you are. We're all intimidated by this huge hurdle, some just hide it better.
6. You Can Do This.
Take a breath when you need to, take a nap when you can. This is your education, your degree, your life. You will get through this.
