For most of us, this year didn’t go quite as planned. Whether it be rescheduling an important event, attending “Zoom University” or cancelling a trip, we all had something to look forward to this year. Even though were missing out on some things, we’re all incredibly lucky to be in this moment right now! So, I want to share with you a few tips on how my friends and I have been “surviving senior year,” (a.k.a. “Making the best of it!”)
1. Stop talking about all the senior year traditions you’re missing out on and start make new traditions! Yes, it’s true your senior year isn’t like the past years, but don’t dwell on it! This year is what you make it, don’t wish it away.
2. Plan something with your friends, at least once a week, so you all have something to look forward to. My friends and I do “Tuesday night dinner.” Every Tuesday, we round up all of our left over food and create a random meal for us to eat! Whether it be a cheese board and Mexican stuffed peppers, or chicken caprese and apple crisp. If you don’t like the idea of dinner, try Bachelor night or movie night. Anything that you and your friends can look forward to during the work week. This will make your week that much sweeter!
3. Don’t be afraid to meet new people! Now is the time to put yourself out there more than ever. Chances are if you’re feeling down about the situation our country is in right now, someone else it too! You’re not alone in this tough year, put some faith in people, they’re kinder than you think!
4. It’s okay to give yourself a break, in fact, it’s even okay to have FUN. It may not seem that way, but it’s true. Don’t feel guilty for enjoying your last year of college, you can’t go back and one day you might wish you could.
5. Focus on your goals, think of your life post pandemic and where you want to be. Look forward not backward!
6. Laugh. With. Your. Friends. If anything has made this crazy year, enjoyable, it’s the people I surround myself with. Make sure you’re having a real, hardcore, no sound, laugh until you can’t breathe, laugh. It’s okay to laugh at your failures, laugh until you cry, or laugh because things are just too hard to be real. Don’t take life too seriously, you only live once!
7. Take Pictures. You will want to remember these moments, grab a disposable camera and get to it! You won’t regret it!
8. Play drinking games with your friends. Some of my favorites are: “For the Girls” (a card game that you can find it on Amazon), “Rattlin’ Bog” (a song, like Thunder- but funnier), “Kings” (a classic), “left, right, center,” “Photo Roulette,” it can be downloaded from the app store, “F*ck the Governor,” and “Flip Cup” (of course).
9. College doesn’t last forever so if you’re ready to get out, you’re only a semester away WOO HOO! And if you’re someone who wishes college could last forever, you only have one semester left, so, live it up, don’t let your hanxiety take over, and don’t take one second of it for granted!