As cliché as it sounds, it really does seem like just yesterday I was graduating high school and heading to the University of Florida to start college. I remember being so excited for all the new experiences and people I’d meet. And now four years later, I feel the exact same way about starting law school next fall. Bittersweet is the perfect way to describe the feelings that accompany graduating from college. I’m excited for my future and this next chapter of my life, but I’m also sad to move on from such a great time in my life. It feels strange to know I won’t be able to go across the hall to my roommate and best friend’s room whenever I feel like it and that I won’t live in the same city, in some cases, not even the same state, as some of the people who have become my support system over the past four years. That’s all very sad (and I don’t want to think about it anymore or I’ll cry), but I think there’s a balance that can be found between clinging to college and then also wishing away the last few weeks we have here. Here are a few things I have done in the weeks leading up to my graduation to ground me to the present moment, as well as why I’m excited for what’s next.
Create a senior year bucket list
My senior year of college obviously looks much different from what I envisioned. I spent some time lamenting about what could have been if my last year at UF had been normal. But I quickly decided to not let these “what ifs” and negative attitude further take my senior year away from me. There were still some things I could do, even with COVID-19, that allowed me to enjoy the time I have left here while still being safe. I decided to create a bucket list of things I wanted to do and places I wanted to go to before graduating. My list includes going to eat at my favorite local restaurants, road trips to the beach and trying Krishna lunch, among other things. Creating this bucket list helped remind me there are still fun things I can do to celebrate my last year and take advantage of it. I highly recommend making a bucket list and trying to complete as much of it as possible before graduation.
Talk to people who are going to be taking the same next steps as you
Applying to law school was very different from applying to college. For one, not that many people you know are applying to law school, whereas in high school, most people were applying to college. This means you don’t have that many people to talk to about the process, which is long and grueling. Finding people who are going to end up doing the same thing as you can be nice because you can discuss your next steps with someone who will be doing something similar after graduation. It also adds to your excitement to discuss your future and what you’re looking forward to with someone who is in the same boat.
Be intentional with your time
Another cliché that holds true is time flies. As I write this, I only have four and a half weeks of college. Even just saying that feels unreal. I felt like I had so much more time left here and now there are only mere weeks left. To make the most out of the time I have left at UF, I plan to do something every weekend I have left here. There have been times recently when I’ve felt exhausted and just wanted to sit and watch TV in my room alone, but I have pushed through these feelings and forced myself to go hang out with my roommates and friends. I’m so glad I made myself take advantage of these opportunities to spend time with those who have made these past four years so special. Acknowledging my time in college is now becoming very limited has pushed me to be intentional with my time. I suggest trying to schedule fun things to do with friends at least once a week to get the most of your remaining time together in college.
Pat yourself on the back
Getting a college degree is a huge achievement and something we should all be proud of. We have all worked extraordinarily hard in college to get our degrees. It’s important to take a step back and pat yourself on the back for all you have done. All the stress and all-nighters are going to pay off as soon as we walk across that stage and receive our diplomas (even if it’s in the mail weeks later). Celebrating all of our hard work can make this time even more enjoyable as it’s one of the first times in years where we can relax and just enjoy all of our dedication and discipline.
I don’t think it has fully set in yet what it means to graduate. It means saying goodbye to some of the best friends I have ever had who have become like family to me. It means leaving a town that grew on me and has become my home. But graduating also means starting a new, exciting chapter of my life I have worked so hard for. It can be hard to not wish away the present in favor of a shiny, new future. But I think when we all sit and think about all we have learned and gained throughout our four years in college, it feels even harder to let go and say goodbye. Graduating and the word bittersweet will always go together, hand in hand.