As underclassmen, we often look at seniors and just don’t get it. Why do they look so frazzled? Are they actually going insane? So often we look at them in envy; after all, senior year of college is supposed to be the best, the final step before absolute freedom.
To understand them I offer only one tip: ask them. Get to know them. Right now they’re the wisest students, and their insight can help you in the future, and help them release some of the feels.
I decided to take my own advice and talked to the lovely senior Sarah Hartman about her emotions regarding her last year as an undergrad, and she described it as bittersweet. She also expressed the need to always enjoy your college life, not just the last year. She explained many of the reasons for the frazzled looks and mixed emotions seniors often have during this time.
A little goofy, a little stressed—but a lot happy.
“I’m beginning to realize that I’m going to lose a bunch of people I love to be around after I walk across that stage,” Sarah said.
“As far as senior year itself, it’s strange at first realizing that there is no one above you anymore. You realize it’s actually been four years since you drove your over-packed car to your residences hall and met your roommate for the first time as a freshman. I’ve come to love WVWC and even yearn for it after long breaks. It has become very familiar, almost like it belongs to me, but next year it won’t anymore.
“Seniors are forced to answer the question, ‘What’s next?’ Honestly my freshman self would have never even thought that far, and here I am slowly dipping into it. I wish I could relay all of what I know now to my freshman self because, as most seniors do, when I see a freshmen during something ignorant I roll my eyes and think oh, freshmen.
“Would I call my senior year the best year? Not really. It’s just different. As with every other year, it has its perks and its downsides. College experiences are yours, because your actions, decisions and attitude will paint it out for you. I know it’s super cliché, but it’s your own story to write how you want it. Don’t wait until senior year to finally love college. Never live your life, ‘just getting by.’ Thrive! Do it with purpose!”
As collegiettes, we could all learn something from Sarah’s advice. So, instead of wishing the next four years away, enjoy it! And be sure to make friends with some seniors along the way; they’re clearly pretty wise.