At the tail end of September, most of us have eased back into the rhythms of everyday life on campus. Most likely, you’ve settled back into the patterns of college life that you established way back freshman year. However, entering the new semester as an upperclassman definitely changes up some of your old routines, and makes life on campus just a little bit different. Here are the five thoughts you have at the beginning of junior year.
1. “I’m so over gen-ed requirements.”
Whether you’ve wrapped up your first two years of required general education classes, or you still have that one liberal arts elective to finish, by this time in your college career, you’re most likely eager to graduate from the basics and move onto your major.
2. “I should probably declare my minor, right?”
By now, you’ve probably figured out what you want to minor in, or if you want to take on a minor at all. Maybe you’ve sampled a few different classes, and found the minor you want to pursue, only to forget to actually declare it. At this halfway point, it might be a good time to see an advisor and map out how to achieve your ideal degree.
3. “How does one make a LinkedIn?”
As you watch your friends start applying and getting accepted to various internships, you may start to feel like stepping up your networking game. Get online and build up your resume, as soon as you figure out the logistics of LinkedIn.
4. “Am I too old for frat parties?”
The beginning of junior year is that weird limbo between your nights lurking on frat row and your nights waiting in line at a bar. Especially if you’ve yet to turn 21, you’re most likely caught between wanting to go out and not wanting to sweat in a frat basement.
5. “How are there only two semesters left before senior year?”
If you’re having an existential crisis about being a senior next year, you’re not alone. The final chapter of your college years is both exciting and nerve-wracking, and it’s hard to believe how fast these four years fly by.
To all us juniors, you’re never too old to embrace college life like a freshman, or too young to start thinking about post-grad life. That’s the happy medium of this third year. Check back next time for more stories, tips, and lessons learned from junior year!