Reaching your senior year is a huge step in the right direction that takes a lot of effort, time, and money. Trust me, I understand this personally because I am in the same boat. However, there are some distinctive feelings that come with becoming a senior—perhaps you feel them as well. I feel like we should discuss what it means to simply be a senior, what to expect in your final year, and what’s to come.
Let’s get the obvious part out of the way: You are approaching the end of your undergraduate years and getting ready to finally receive your degree. With it, you can finally acquire the career of your dreams, or you can pursue higher education at a graduate school. It is going to be one of the most important moments of your life, so give this year your all to ensure you make it there!
What if you still do not know what you want to do in life? Sometimes, your career plans change. I originally came to ABAC wanting to complete my core classes before transferring to Valdosta State University to pursue film. After joining The Stallion, I learned how exciting journalism can be, so I stayed here with my dream set on becoming an entertainment journalist. That change is a normal and healthy part of your undergraduate career.
Note that this is the final step before you set off to carve a life to your satisfaction. Consider your options and ask yourself, “What would I be satisfied doing?” If your job is doing something you love, you will never feel like you are working, and you can financially support yourself, so it is a win-win!
On the other hand, senior year is a time for reflection. College is not just education—it is a growing experience for you as an adult, too. You have changed whether you noticed it or not, and not just in terms of age. Hopefully, you have learned things about yourself in addition to any life lessons that tumbled your way.
All your accomplishments? Those unveiled your greatest strengths and should be celebrated! They are stories to be told to your family and friends at the dinner table or around the campfire. Hold onto these.
What about mistakes? One thing you should remember: No one is perfect. Mistakes—whether it be a failed class or a falling out with a friend—are in the past. Don’t dwell on your mistakes so much that you fall apart. Instead, learn from them.
As you are progressing toward the end, remember your senior status means that you have experience with this campus. Simultaneously, you are also setting an example. Try to set a positive one for incoming freshmen and ensure that they made a great choice attending ABAC. If you see someone struggling with directions to their class, questioning what clubs would be a good fit for them, or searching for available resources on campus, try to help them out!
Looking back at everything, it’s apparent that “senior” is more than just a label showing how many credits you have earned or how many classes you have passed. It means that you’ve come so far, learned a lot about your major and life itself, and that the light at the end of the tunnel is a bright future awaiting you.