I don’t know about the rest of ECU’s class of 2018, but it’s been difficult to wrap my head around the fact this is my last year at ECU. Mostly because I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to do after graduation, but also because there is so much I’m going to miss about this campus and the people who make it so great. It’s crazy how fast four years can go by. But it’s also pretty crazy when you come to the realization that this is actually you’re last year here. It feels like just yesterday you were dealing with all your firsts: your first football game, your first crazy trip downtown on a Thursday, your first mug night (who knew people went out on Mondays), your first 3 am pizza, your first year on your own. And now you have to say goodbye and appreciate all your last experiences here… Part of you just isn’t ready to do that. I noticed that during this first week of classes I went through phases of acceptance trying to wrap my head around the fact that graduation is so much closer than I expected.
1. Oblivious I’ve found that walking around campus on the first few days of class didn’t feel any different. I don’t feel older than anyone, I don’t feel like I know more, and I don’t feel like I’m a pro at adulting. So when I walked into my first class and my teacher said, “How many of you are seniors?” my reaction was so delayed…and then I was like, holy crap that’s me.
2. Excitement And then when a freshman turns to me and goes, “You’re a senior right? You seem like you know what you’re doing.” It all hits me in the face and I realize that I am a pro and that I know all things Pirate Nation. Then suddenly I have visions of graduation caps and diplomas.
3. Reality After my daydream ends… Then a new one appears… Job interviews, bills, my parents ignoring my phone call because they know I’m going to ask for a bit of money… Not to mention the empty fridge… And then all of a sudden I don’t want to be a senior. Grad school anyone?
4. Panic Oh my god I haven’t eaten at Sup Dogs in like four months. I need to eat as much as possible before I go. What have I been doing for four years? I have to go to every football game this year. Can I just be in college forever? Oh my god I have to get a job, can I even get a job? Why didn’t I major in something more practical?
5. Acceptance I got this. That graduation list has my name on it. I will just apply for as many jobs as possible and I’m gonna figure out how this whole adulting thing works. Senior year is going to be the best year yet.