With a month of classes under our belts, many seniors are already thinking of something that once felt very far off, college graduation. For those of us who will be walking across the stage in May, we’ve already experienced our last welcome week, our last opening game day and our last first day of school. Although it may be a little early for senioritis (especially since I am most definitely #unemployed), I can’t help but constantly think of all the things I won’t be doing next year. Class of 2014, this one’s for you. Here’s five ways to cope with the fact that yes, you actually are a senior:
1. Be a Sconnie.
For those of us from out of state, I don’t literally mean go to the DMV and get a Wisconsin driver’s license. Instead, bask in everything this state has to offer. Eat your body weight in cheese curds, Jump Around on game day, drink multiple pitchers at the terrace, get your hungover self out of bed each Saturday to go to the farmers market and go out on a Tuesday just because you can. Stay up late with your friends, make the ultimate UW-Madison bucket list and spend the entirety of senior year epitomizing exactly why when you say Wisconsin, you’ve said it all.
2. Get emotional.
If you’re like me (and cry every Thursday while watching Grey’s Anatomy), it probably doesn’t take much to get you choked up. Let yourself freak out about the looming future, but not for too long. When you’re feeling especially nostalgic for nights like the first time you got into Johnny O’s with a fake ID, head over to Elite Daily for some wisdom that isn’t coming from your parents.
3. Actually do work.
We may have just been ranked the number two party school in the country, but anyone who’s been in Madison during midterms knows that we work just as hard as we play. Although there’s much more to college than academics, you are here to get an education. Senior year may sound like the perfect excuse to do everything except your schoolwork, but you’ve worked your butt off for three years so now is the time to finish strong. Go to class, open that textbook you overpaid $146 for and actually learn something. If you haven’t done so yet, fall in love with a subject and take a class because you actually enjoy it, not because it’s a requirement.
4. Don’t stress over being a ‘grown up.’
As a senior in high school everyone’s least favorite subject is, ‘Where do you want to go to school?’ When I thought I’d finally outrun that question freshmen year, it quickly became, ‘So, what are you majoring in?’ Now, it has evolved into the dreaded ‘What do you want to do next year?’ The answer? I have absolutely no clue… and that’s okay. College is meant for exploring opportunities and finding yourself, as are our postgrad years. Chances are the job you end up in following graduation is not what you will spend the rest of your life doing. Take a deep breath, it could be worse! Before you know it, dinner conversation will revolve around potential suitors, engagements and when you’ll be popping out grandchildren!
5. Pretend graduation does not exist.
When all else fails, forget about being a senior and live the next eight months in denial. Enjoy every single second of your time left in Madison and add the occasional #nevergraduating and #fourmoreyears to your Instagrams.