Being a college senior means you have your life together, right? You’ve made it three years without failing miserably, and you have it all figured out. You have such a bright future at the tip of your fingers, and it’s about to be in your full grasp. But, what if, like me, you don’t have everything figured out like you thought? I spent the past three years thinking that by the time my senior year rolled around, I would have it all together. However, the truth is I don’t, and I’m here to tell you that it’s OK.
The first week of classes was a whirlwind for me. Sorority recruitment and getting adjusted to being back in school all at once was a little tough. Getting enough sleep and getting organized just wasn’t happening for me. Not to mention that applying for post-grad jobs was really weighing on my mind. Where do I start? How do I get the experience every employer wants? What if I don’t find anything that I’m looking for? All of this was running through my mind while I was trying to get this semester figured out. Thankfully, my roommates got me through the first week struggles.
Fast-forward to the second week of school. I was sitting in chemistry class, and an overwhelming feeling of worry and anxiety hit me as we were reviewing for our upcoming quiz. I felt lost and hopeless because I had no idea what I was doing. It felt like my life was so far out of my control, and I was already drowning in school work. As I gathered my thoughts and regained my composure, I finally told myself that I could do this. I told myself that I was going to be OK. So what if it’s senior year and I don’t even have college completely figured out, let alone what I’m doing after graduation? That’s life. No one said that it would be easy.
I have to admit that I hate not having an exact plan. The more I learn, the more I realize I’m not alone. You see, college is a time to experience new things and learn about who you truly are and what you want to do in life. Sometimes, it takes struggling along the way and hitting bumps in the road to show us the path we should be on. Believe me, I’ve had my fair share of struggles just in the first two weeks of classes. However, I can also say that in the midst of those struggles, I’ve found that it’s only making me stronger. With every challenge you face, you learn a little more about yourself and your strengths.
I want you to know that if you are a senior in college and you are scared that you don’t have your whole life figured out by now, you’re not alone. I’ve been there and can honestly say I still feel this way at times, but I learned from it. My advice to you is simple: Take this time in your life to pursue new experiences and opportunities. Take time to figure out what truly makes you happy in life. Quit worrying about what you thought you should be doing at this point in your college career and focus on what you actually are doing. Meet new people. Make new friends and memories that you will forever treasure because college will be over soon! You’re going to figure it all out soon enough and when you do, you will be truly successful. The times you spent worrying about the could haves and should haves won’t mean anything. What will mean the most to you are those memories you made and the time you spent bettering yourself as a person.
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