Momma we made it…almost! You’re almost at the finish line and you’re so close you can taste it. It’s your final year and you’re not sure whether to throw it in everyone’s face or curl up and hide because the real world is quickly approaching. Senior year means endless tailgates, two more semesters of the mental agony caused by midterms and finals week, and using that #Gatornation to land you that dream job.
1. Party like it’s 1999… or your last year at UFWhether you enjoy going out at night or not, this is your last chance to soak in Gainesville’s nightlife for all it’s worth. So put on your favorite crop top on and paint the town orange and blue. Okay, lets be real — fraternity parties usually sound like agonizing nights full of cocky guys who are majoring in Drinking 101. Quite frankly, this is partially true, but frat parties are an experience to say the least. If the thought of a frat party still makes you cringe, then there are plenty of bars and clubs in Midtown and Downtown to let you get your party fix. The alcoholic drinks in Gainesville are definitely cheaper than those in the “real world,” so take advantage of that while you can if you are of age.
2. Network, network, network!Remember freshman orientation? Not really? Well, here’s a refresher: One concept that was discussed a lot was how being a UF student grants you a first-class ticket aboard the networking powerhouse that is the Gator Nation. This is your chance to make great business and personal connections, so step out of your comfort zone and start handing out those business cards ASAP. Remember that time you were only able to get into a frat party because your best friend was dating a new pledge? Or that time you scored an internship in New York City because the hiring manager was a Gator grad? Well, the whole “it’s not what you know, but who you know” ordeal doesn’t end once you graduate. A simple conversation with another member of the Gator Nation could very well help you land a job after graduation, so get out there and start meeting people! You’d be surprised at the endless opportunities available to you.
3. Don’t sell yourself short just because you don’t have a perfect GPAAlthough your GPA may not be an exact 4.0, it’s not the end of the world. This isn’t high school, so your GPA won’t mean that much anymore unless you’re applying to graduate school. We’re not saying you shouldn’t study or care about your grades altogether, but rather that you shouldn’t have three panic attacks a month because you have a B in chemistry. Shift your focus on expanding your work experiences and letting that reflect in your resume. After graduation your grade point average is a just a number, and employers wont take it into much consideration (unless it’s startlingly low, of course). Whip that resume into shape and your future employers will be so amazed by your experience and qualifications that they’ll hardly bat an eyelash at that little number.
4. Say goodbye to your Miley Cyrus postersGet prepared to put on your adult pants because senior year is the last year that it’s socially acceptable to have Miley Cyrus’ tongue plastered on your wall. Enjoy your posters now but be prepared to give them away once you’re donning a cap and gown. Chances are that after graduation you’ll end up in a small studio apartment and you’ll want to look and act like a fully functional adult who casually has wine and tapas on a Tuesday night. Unfortunately, if you’re planning on inviting any co-workers to your fancy Tuesday night soiree, posters of celebrities will no longer cut it. Start saving money for more mature décor and become familiar with Pinterest, your new best friend.
5. Learn how to manage your timeSenior year is bound to have endless activities you don’t want to miss out on. The sting of missing out on fun events is so much worse when it’s because you left your 10-page paper for last minute. Be smart and become familiar with your schedule and assignments by writing all deadlines and test dates in your agenda ahead of time. You’ve been the procrastinating queen for three years, and now it’s time to give that crown to the underclassmen. Time management will not only keep you sane, but it will also prepare you for your future career. Plus, nobody likes staying up all night unless it’s for important things like your weekly girls night out on Wednesday.
Photo credits:www.ufl.edu