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The 8 Stages of Accepting You’re a 4th Year

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSB chapter.

It seems like only yesterday, your parents were dropping you off at your dorm for your first year of college. Colorful posters line the wall adjacent to your well-organized desk and a brand new comforter lies on top of your tiny (but cozy) twin sized bed. Meanwhile, your dorky, freshman-self is oozing with excitement at the new opportunities awaiting you. Fast forward three years later and although most of the novelty of college life has worn off, you don’t really mind: you know the entire campus like the back of your hand and you’ve got a well-established group of friends. In fact, everything is all unicorns and butterflies. . .until some random Freshman asks, “What year are you?” to which you reply, “Fourth year” – and so the existential crisis begins. 

                                                                                                                     Stage 1: Shock     

                                                                                       Yup. The words “fourth year” just came out of your mouth.

                                                                                                                      Stage 2: Denial

                                                                                                                     Mhm, sure you are. 

                                                                                                                         Stage 3: Panic  

                                                                                          Wait, what are you going to do with your life again?

                                                                                                                       Stage 4: Grief

                                                                                                          That 9 to 5 job is calling your name.

                                                                                                                     Stage 5: Nostalgia 

                                                                                                                          *Heavy sighing*

                                                                                                                     Stage 6: Panic 2.0 

                                                                                                                     Here we go again… 

                                                                                                                    Stage 7: Composure 

                                                                                                                                Chill fam.  

                                                                                                                   Stage 8: Acceptance 

                                                                                                              Year four lesss gooo.

 

 

Naomi is a fourth-year, English major and Multimedia Writing minor at UCSB. She is originally from the LA area, but aspires to someday make it in New York as a web content writer. Cats, green tea and British accents are slight obsessions of hers.
Kristine is a 3rd year Chemistry major at UC Santa Barbara. She was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. When she's not writing, she works with her sister to create adorable baked delicacies for The Royal Icing, their at-home bakery. She's also a ballerina, lipstick enthusiast, and bunny lover. Post-graduation, she plans on going to graduate school while continuing her writing career. Catch her on instagram @CookiesForKay