There are a lot of phases people go through in college. When you're a freshman entering college for the first time you go through that semi excited, semi-nervous stage of not really knowing what is going to happen and who you'll wind up hanging out with. Sophomore year is more about getting use to going back and really starting to figure out what you want to accomplish both in and out of college. Arguably, junior year is the lightest of all the years. You know your time in college is almost up, but you're so use to the experience and the year is more about blissfully having fun rather than itching to leave or figure out the future. And then there is the complexity of that senior year phase.
Probably throughout both semesters of senior year, you're itching to leave. You've outgrown college (we'll some of us) and while we're also experiencing the anxiety of not wanting to leave and go out in the real world, we do also have huge senioritis. Classes probably aren't too tough depending on what you take. You're senior project or thesis or whatever you call it may be the most challenging thing, or if we're talking about outside the classroom getting a job after college or figuring out what job you want to get may be the most challenging. But this article isn't as much about figuring out how to deal with that sadness or eagerness as much as it is figuring out what I'm going to do to not be totally bored for my last semester. Let me explain.
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I only need to take three classes, all of which are easy, and my best friend in college has moved out and won't really be around. If you're not being challenged in school anymore and your close friend or friends left early what to you do? I'm not one to take an extra class for no reason and at this point in the game its hard to make firm, new friends the last semester of the last year of college. Do you just lay low? Do you sit around your dorm all day and do nothing? Do you try to be friendly even when you know it will come off as random, awkward, or forced? Does trying to entertain yourself or meet new people even matter if its only for a few months and may not work anyway? Truth is, I don't know and I suppose in addition to finding a job, this will be the biggest challenge for me rather than the classes I'm taking or being sad or eager to leave.
I suppose the only thing I can say for me and for people like me who are in this situation and who are a bit more introverted and self-reliant is to take it as it comes. If you wanna lay low and not worry so much about school or putting yourself out there then thats okay, you earned that much by getting this far, but see how it goes. Also, if you wanna take more chances to be socially active or dedicated to school work, see how it goes. Don't totally rule out being social or hardworking, but if it just isn't working then you have to stop worrying and start looking towards the future. If you really have nothing to do or nobody really to hang out with like me go the extra mile pondering your future after college and applying to places. Try to make more connections outside of college since those will be the ones that matter once you leave. Maybe try going home more or doing things for yourself more and enjoy the time you have for yourself no matter how dry or boring it may be because it will be scarce once work starts.
I don't have an answer or a clear direction for what I will do now that I have less classes and my good friend won't be around. All I can do is hope for the best and see where the wind blows. I don't need as much attention as my peers I can entertain myself, but if there are any cool last minute opportunities in my path this last semester of college I sure as hell won't let them pass me by.
