Class of 2021, I Have the Senior Scaries, Too

When I was a child, the expression, “Does time ever fly,” or, “That seemed like only yesterday,” were phrases I simply categorized as things old people say. I remember being in grade school and feeling like school days were endless, weeks dragged on to the weekend, and summer lasted forever. The phenomenon that time goes faster as you get older became increasingly apparent when I entered my first year of university. Only at this point did my perception of time drastically change in appreciating that, somehow, though some days might be long, the years really do fly by. Researchers and psychologists have coined various theories that help explain why time seems to pass quicker as we get older. Some suggest it has to do with how you perceive the passage of time as you age. Others say that when we undergo those ‘first’ experiences as children, these novel perceptual experiences take longer for the brain to process. Nonetheless, for one reason or another, time seems to slip like sand between your fingers. 

Now in my last year of university, I appreciate how difficult it is to fathom where all of the years went. Memories that seem brand new are, in reality, from years ago. Even what I recall as ‘last weekend’ is turning out to in fact be three weeks ago. Struck with this growing realization, I have started to develop fourth year ‘scaries’: that stressful, anxious, panic-stricken feeling that your days as a student are numbered. There are only so many weeks, so many assignments, so many student discount days left until it all comes to an end. And the bittersweet acceptance that the end will come faster than you think. These are the scaries that keep you up all night thinking about your next steps: “Will I take a year off?” “Will I apply to a graduate program?” “Should I travel or study abroad?” You realize that time has crept up on you, even as you try to make the most of your last year, especially pandemic. 

At this point, the world is at your fingertips. Use this time to invest your power and energy into being grateful. Reflect on every experience you’ve had. Every all-nighter you’ve pulled, every exam that seemed impossible, every 8:30 a.m. lecture you dragged yourself to—you made it. Think about all of the people that have crossed your path. A professor that inspired you or the girl you sat next to in class that you now can’t imagine your life without. Remember all of those long nights in the library, those sub-par cafeteria meals, those 2 a.m. drunken poutines with your roomies. Reminiscing with gratitude will help you soak up your coming days and remind you to make the most of the time you have left.

Some of us are looking at the true end of our educational career and are preparing to jet out into the ‘real world.’ Some of us are applying to graduate programs or taking some time off. The rest of us may not know where to navigate to next. The important thing to remember is that you are exactly where you need to be. There is no need to jump into a career right away or a graduate program if it’s not something you want or are ready for. Take genuine time to reflect—at the end of the day, it’s your happiness and the life that you choose to lead. There is an undeniable looming pressure from the expectation that because we are in fourth year, we have it all figured out. In truth, most of us probably don’t. We are still human, still learning and still growing. So if you’re just riding the wave, enjoy it and take care of yourself on the way. Don’t be afraid to jump on opportunities, but remember that life is about the journey- don’t rush it. 

Class of 2021, I’m sorry that we won’t get the year we deserve. I’m sorry we won’t get one last hungover morning lecture. One last homecoming. One last sigh of relief as we set our pencil down in the exam hall. I’m sorry that we have to try and celebrate the close of 4 glorious years in light of a pandemic. This year isn’t at all like others, but you’ve come this far. Have faith in yourself and find every opportunity to make this year incredible. Squeeze every last bit out of this final lap while embracing what is to come, even if you aren’t quite sure what that means for you. 

• graduation
• senior year
• university