Senior Year: What I Wish I Knew

The habits I learned a little too late

Now that I am nearing halfway through my last semester of senior year, I find myself regretting not using my time to get the full college experience academically. Over the past couple of semesters, I didn’t put much emphasis on my assignments; I completed them just to get them off my to-do list, without gaining any real benefit. I also didn’t care much about making close connections with my professors. I never realized just how important these habits could be to help me academically. But now that I have started out my semester introducing these habits, I have seen the benefits that it has on not just my academics, but more career and overall intellect. Here are some of the habits that I learned this semester that are beneficial to start now rather than later.

Communicating with Professors 

As much as this sounds like common sense, I could never find the courage to talk with my professors. I went to class, sat in the back, didn’t participate, and was up and out at the end of class. I accepted the grades I received and went on to work on the next thing due. However, I realized the seclusion that happens in not putting myself out there. I would go whole semesters with professors not knowing who I am or constantly being called out on for not participating. 

This semester I decided to change my habits and push myself to fully learn the material and make those connections as it can help further my networking opportunities. I went to a professor’s office hours for the first time ever, and it was the most helpful learning experience as my professor took time out of her day to spend an hour helping me understand the material. I also have been taking the time to talk to my professors before and/or after class to ask any questions about assignments or just to make conversation with them and see them as the human beings they are. 

Networking in College: How to Build Connections That Last

Attending Events & Meetings 

Per one of my professor’s requests for our research project, she mentioned an optional opportunity to attend a Board of Visitors Meeting, especially since they vote and determine many aspects of college students’ experience and educational opportunities. By attending this meeting, I was able to network with administrators at the university and see the decisions being made in real time. I am glad that I grew the courage to go and put myself out there for such a great networking opportunity.  Being the only student in the room, I felt more astray but I was able to advocate for students. 

I have also learned about the Security Clearance Readiness Program offered by the Career Services department at the university that helps students prepare for getting a security clearance. I wish I had known about this program earlier on so I am not having to fit in all of the requirements into my last semester, but it has been such a great networking opportunity and education for learning the process and documentation needed. I have met officials who work for the CIA, FBI, and other federal government jobs who are recruiters who discuss the process of applying for these types of agencies and I’ve also learned what characteristics and aspects they look at in applicants. 

Putting myself into these situations, when I never felt the courage to, has shown me just how important  it can be for your education and, most importantly, your future career. The programs and events happening on campus are not one to miss and it’s okay to go to things by yourself because at the end of the day this is your education and opportunity to grow who you are. 

Handwriting Notes 

The last habit that I wish I started doing earlier was handwriting my notes. Semester after semester, I would hype myself up to write my notes, but two weeks in I lose the motivation and end up just typing my notes. I never realized how much I was missing out when typing, as I am just typing on keys and not retaining any information. 

With this semester, mostly being highly encouraged by professors to hand-write notes and being able to use those notes for quizzes, I have actually retained so much. Having to continuously re-read sentences and condensing the information to fit on the paper has helped focus on the important concepts being discussed. In addition, having handwritten notes stores up so much storage on devices and stays in good condition. I have tried keeping previous courseworks notes on GoogleDocs, but with all of the work I do during the next semester, those notes end-up disappearing and just sitting on my device.

Digital Note-Taking vs Paper Notes: Which is Better for College Students  

With these habits, I have been able to finally feel studious and be the student that I have always wanted to be, and will never forgive myself for it happening during my last semester. I cannot emphasize enough how important your college experience is and to take advantage of all these opportunities at hand. Take everything that you do in college as an opportunity to network and grow not only as a student, which is given, but to grow into yourself, finding who you are and what goals you want to accomplish. 

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