The senioritis outbreak is beginning to take over the San Francisco State University fourth years (and fifth years, and sixth years…) with many graduation application deadlines passing and family members and loved ones marking their calendars for the May 25 commencement ceremonies and celebrations. Meanwhile, I’m holding onto my undergraduate experience like my life will end once I’m handed that coveted Bachelor’s degree. While my friends are spending less time on campus, I’m becoming an over-committed student, having recently joined two on-campus clubs on top of my sorority involvement, volunteer hours for the study abroad office, and my full course load, which includes beginner’s French five mornings a week. Any more extreme and I’d be back living on campus in the Towers and eating at the Dining Center three times a day.
But this is really how I feel; it seems like the incredible life I’ve built over the last four years is about to end, and there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it. Come third week of May, I’ll be facing a job hunt in a still-struggling economy, student loan bills, and saying goodbye to a campus that has become my safe haven. I won’t be seeing sorority sisters in the Quad for lunch or sharing my awesome study abroad experience with future program applicants. This realization is taking it’s toll on my confidence in what the future has in store for me.
I could complain forever, so if you want to hear more weeping and blubbering, come find me in the Cezar Chavez student center at lunch time. Since the beginning of the semester, I have made some important changes to help prepare myself for this huge shift in my life. Here are some of the lifestyle changes that are proving most beneficial in my fear-of-the-future struggle:
It’s Never Too Late to Get Involved
I always made a point to have the “do it all” experience in college. Joining a sorority and studying abroad in Denmark were just two of the amazing experiences SFSU offered me during my undergraduate years. Don’t be discouraged to branch out a bit more, even if you only have a semester or two left.
Use Your Connections Here for Post-Grad Networking
They say it’s all about who you know. Well, there are about 30,000 students at this school, and it’s probable that you’ve met some pretty great people here. Talk to your professors about how the opportunities their former students found upon graduating from their departments. The future will be much more bearable if you’ve done some preparing for life after the classroom.
Get Involved Off-Campus!
Upon finishing my semester in Denmark, I left with more than just completed Communication Studies units and memories for a lifetime. I came back with a love for all things Danish and Scandinavian! After some personal research, I found a group in the city for people who are from or have lived in Scandinavia. Think about your own passions and what interests you. Then put yourself back in your freshman year shoes, get over your fears, and put yourself out there!
Don’t Stop Being a Student
Just because you are no longer enrolled at a university, doesn’t mean you can’t still learn. Attend a yoga class regularly or take a foreign language course at a local learning facility. You don’t ever have to graduate from those schools.Â
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*Photo taken by Casey McBride