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Enjoy the senior year slowdown |
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Friday, 17 August 2007 |
Fresh notebooks. Couches next to the dumpsters.Rental textbook lines snaking their way around the bookstore.
These are all indications of a new school year.
Suddenly, I find myself in the last new year of my college career and still, with three years under my belt, I have no idea what to expect.
A new year is exciting for everyone, but for a senior, these feelings are matched by a sense of urgency.
My advice for upcoming seniors falls into three categories.
Go with the flow
Many seniors go into their final year with the expectation that it has
to be great. Afterall, it’s the last chance for a really great year of
college.
But what if it’s not?
The hard thing about life is that no matter how much a planner like me
tries to determine how the year will go, it will never go as intended.
I have a new apartment, a new position at The Appalachian, new classes and a new relationship status on Facebook.
The only things that haven’t changed since last year are my friends,
who continue to support me in my endeavors and deserve my endless
thanks.
Now, with plans broken and changes made, I go into the year on a clean slate.
There is something invigorating about the idea of a new school year.
Attempt new things
Take advantage the endless possibilities of a new year.
If you failed three classes last year, you can make up for it this year.
If you always wanted to climb the rock wall at the Student Recreation Center, you can do it this year.
If you are returning to Appalachian this year a little less than
enthused, I encourage you to find a way to get involved on campus.
This is one of the fastest ways to a new group of friends who can provide you with the invigoration you need.
The Appalachian has been, without a doubt, the most satisfying portion of my college career.
I have been so lucky to find an organization like The Appalachian to
dedicate myself to, and it’s never too late to get involved.
Enjoy every minute
I have spent my college years as busy as possible, and I would have it no other way because I am proud of my accomplishments.
However, I can’t help but wonder if that has contributed to the reason
I am sitting here, days away from the beginning of my senior year,
wondering where the past three years went.
Since my freshman year, I have thrown myself completely into The
Appalachian and worked diligently every spring to acquire and plan for
the perfect internship away.
Thanks to this diligence I know I will have options after I graduate.
However, what I may not have is many memories of sitting around with my
friends, doing absolutely nothing. I can’t even remember the last time
I did absolutely nothing.
Finding a balance between extra-curricular activities, classes and friends should be a priority in the last year of college.
In this, my senior year, I intend to appreciate the mountains around me
as I know the plans I have for my life will take me far from them.
I plan to appreciate the amazing friends I have made, because chances are, my future will take me far from them as well.
Seniors, May will come faster than we could have ever imagined.
Millie Tolleson, a senior public relations and journalism major from Hendersonville, is the Associate Editor for Editorial Content.
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