Posts

Embrace the fifth year

Although I never want college to end, I know that my time has an expiration date. Soon the class of 2020 will be walking the stage and saying goodbye to our undergraduate years. But what happens when you need to take a fifth year? Elite Daily's "How Being a Super Senior is a Blessing in Disguise" explains how taking a fifth year of college has some perks. It might feel weird and embarrassing at first, but this extra time allows you to make new friends and pursue new opportunities. If you need extra time to graduate, don't feel ashamed. Everyone has their own path, and maybe this is exactly what you need. Everyone in college is worried about their own problems, so people probably won't care or notice that you're around for another year. They might even like the company. https://www.elitedaily.com/life/culture/its-okay-to-be-a-super-senior/1030790

Binge drinking isn't acceptable in the real world

Drinking is a big part of the college experience. Yes, some students may not drink, but most social settings in college are associated with alcohol. And once you're a senior, drinking becomes an even bigger past time. You're finally 21, you have a lighter course load and you're stressed about the future. Of course having a leisurely glass of wine seems harmless, but most seniors, and college students, take drinking to the extreme. "College Students and Binge Drinking: When a Rite of Passage Becomes a Path to Destruction" from U.S. News & World Report explains that binge drinking in college is a common weekend past time that students use to fit in and gain friends. While it may be fun, this kind of drinking can put students in danger and create bad habits. As a senior, it's fun to have the freedom to drink on week days. It's your last year of college and probably the last time you'll be able to drink so freely, so why not? But don't let th...

Thank God it's Thursday

As I plan my schedule for my final semester of college, I'm excited and relieved. Finally I have the first pick of classes, and the freedom is exhilarating. What should I take? Yoga? Painting? Acting? Regardless of which classes I choose, there's one guideline that each course must fulfill — no Friday classes. I've had this schedule for three semesters now, and man, does it feel good. Having class only four days a week is amazing, especially when I need some down time. Although opting for a three day weekend seems like a no-brainer, The New York Times' "How Thursday Became the New Friday" explains the controversy of having less Friday classes. Seniors especially use the extra day off as an excuse to drink, and the decline of Friday classes leaves thousands of class rooms empty. Some colleges are retaliating by adding more Friday classes, but is it that serious? I don't see the harm in letting seniors relax for their last year of college. We've st...

What you should really be doing your senior year

Coming into my senior year, I knew I had to focus on getting a job. Other than that, I planned on taking it easy. What else was there to worry about? I had spent the last three years working hard, so why not ease up? Although senior year should be fun, it's also a time to consider investing in yourself. HuffPost's "11 Things I Wish I Knew Senior Year of College" shares tips on how you can prepare for post-grad life. Tips range from practical advice about networking, to taking care of your mental health. Senior year is flying by, so it's nice to have these tips in the back of my mind. They made me reflect on my plans. What do I truly want to accomplish this year? Remember this advice as you complete the year, but don't overthink it. Everyone has their own path. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/11-things-i-wish-i-knew-s_b_4723277?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFp3MlHMDxvTtcIN_ZfCdcmbCKP-7beicdi7fB19W...

Network your way to success

Every senior's biggest fear is being unemployed after graduation. Some students already have jobs lined up while others haven't even applied. Finding a job is complicated, so what can we do to avoid living with our parents for the next 15 years? "College Seniors: Do These 4 Things Before Graduating to Ensure Career Success" from Forbes shares tips on how seniors can improve their odds of getting a job. The advice is simple and mainly promotes networking, but it's a nice reminder of what we can do to help ourselves. As college students, we have so many career resources that many take for granted. Let's take advantage of these opportunities before it's too late. https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthellmann/2017/04/28/college-seniors-do-these-4-things-before-graduating-to-ensure-career-success/#55c25c7b1520

Senior year doesn't have to be stressful

As a college senior, it is hard to believe that my years of higher education and youthful shenanigans are almost over. It seems as though a few months ago I was moving into my dorm freshman year and embarking on the crazy, wonderful journey of college. Although it will be relieving to be done with classes and homework in a few months, the fear of what comes after makes me want to stay in college forever. I think one of the biggest stressors for seniors is thinking about the future — especially life after graduation. Should I go to graduate school? Look for a job? It's hard to think about what's next without getting a huge knot in my stomach. Everyone wants to succeed, but is it worth giving yourself extra anxiety? Forbes' article, "College Seniors: Why You Shouldn't Stress Out About What's Coming Next," offers useful commentary on why senior year stress is unnecessary. Molinsky suggests that we embrace change and start believing in ourselves. These tip...

Hi, it's nice to meet you

Hey there, welcome to my blog! My name is Cali and I am a senior at Binghamton University majoring in English rhetoric and minoring in graphic design. I am from a small town near Syracuse, New York and want to pursue a career in journalism or communications. In my free time I like to read, write, watch movies and shop. When I am not eating Thai food or scrolling through Instagram, you can find me hanging out with friends and procrastinating. Right now I am an assistant arts and culture editor at Pipe Dream and a student assistant at BU's Office of Media and Public Relations. Here are a few fun facts about myself: I have four dogs, I am an only child and my guilty pleasure is reality television. My blog will cover anything and everything related to college seniors. As a senior myself, I understand the struggle and stress of the final year of college. Here's to surviving the last two semesters!