Stage 1: Excitement: “OMG! I’m a Senior!”
This is the first stage when you realize you’re at the top of the hierarchy. After three years you know the ins and outs of the school, found your bff’s and feel like you finally got the college thing down. You have so many exciting things to look forward to such as senior sunrise, senior ball, and senior trips. Let the countdown to Vegas begin!
Stage 2: Denial: “Shit, I’m a Senior…”
As you begin your last day you may think, “I still have a whole year left, no pressure.” A year seems like a lot of time. You still have two semesters of classes and tons of homework and late nights. You try not to think about!
Stage 3: Anxiety: “What am I going to do with my life?”
As an English major I’ve gotten the question, “Do you want to be a teacher?” more times than I would like. At this stage you finally realize that procrastinating, late night drinking and asking your parents for money is quickly going to become a distant memory. Now, you have to pretend you’re a functional member of society. Cue anxiety. Did I pick the right major? What am I going to do with my life? Will anyone hire me? How do I become a professional Ben & Jerry’s flavor tester? Is that even possible?
Stage 4: Sadness: “I don’t want to graduate!”
I have to admit the summer leading up to senior year I felt ready to graduate, even excited. No more homework! However, I didn’t stop to think about everything I would be leaving behind. As the first day of school approaches, you realize how many “last” you’ve had and how many are coming. Maybe my parents will let me be a 5th year senior?
Stage 5: A Little Too Much Acceptance: “Senioritis”
Once you’ve gone through the past four stages, you realize senior year is going to be the best year ever. You no longer care if you get an A (C’s get degrees, right?) After this it is no longer acceptable to sleep until noon or go out on a Tuesday night just because you feel like it. So make the most of this year because this is the only time you’ll be a senior, hopefully.