The school year is just beginning, and for some of us, it is our last one. Senior year can be a whole mess of exciting and anxious lasts. It’s amazing to feel like big dogs on campus, but soon, we will be back to being freshmen of life. Until then, let’s celebrate another year at our favorite place, with our favorite people, and live it up with some bucket list items before the loan bills start piling up.
1. Join a new club
Being a senior does not mean it is too late for you to try something new. Admit it, there’s that one club you’ve always thought sounded super fun, but you just never got around to joining. For me, that was CHAARG. CHAARG stands for Changing Health, Attitudes, & Actions to Recreate Girls. It is an organization focused on empowering women through health and fitness, and it has chapters at lots of colleges throughout the U.S. It is something I’ve always wanted to try, but I was nervous and intimidated because I didn’t know anyone who wanted to join with me, but I finally decided – now or never. So I signed up! And I have already had so much fun.
Photo courtesy of DePaul CHAARG
2. Hit all the classic campus spots
Throughout the last three years, I have heard about countless places – bars, restaurants, sightseeing spots – that are a must to visit. But in the chaos of school, work, clubs, and friends, I have unfortunately missed many rite-of-passage spots. I always thought that I would have more time to hit up McGee’s or make it to Batter & Berries for brunch, but time has escaped me. If you are in the same boat, it’s time to start prioritizing that stuff. Forget homework! (Don’t.) Abandon your responsibilities! (Your senior year is not a good time to do this.) Finally cross these spots off your list! (Definitely do that.)
3. Make new friends
Freshman year is always a frenzy to join everything and make as many friends as possible. But as freshman year comes to a close and you settle into your newfound friend group, it can be comfortable and easy to avoid making new friends. However, with graduation approaching, and the possibility of all your friends leaving, it can never be a bad idea to make as many connections as possible before you walk across that stage. Making new friends is a lifelong endeavor, as unfortunate as that may sound to all my fellow introverts.
4. Live it up with your day-ones
Between joining new clubs and making new friends, we need to remember those who have been with us since that first class freshman year. Reminisce and rejoice! The last hurray is here and there’s no one better to spend it with than your besties.
Photo by Kelsey Chance on Unsplash
5. Land that amazing job or internship
Let’s not forget why we’re all here… to get a job. That degree is about to be ours, so it’s time to actually use it. With all the last-minute fun we’re having, we can’t forget to make the time to apply for that dream job. I’m ready to set myself up for success! Are you?
I was always told that these four years would be the best years of my life, and in some ways, they have been. But I’m looking ahead to life after college and I know that this next chapter will be just as great. I have wonderful friends and memories to look back on and help me through this transition. So to my fellow seniors… Be present. Be positive. Be proud – you’re almost there.