I seriously can’t believe that I am a senior in college. It’s kind of surreal and intense all at the same time. My life at the moment has consisted of job hunting, altering my resume, starting a new internship, and taking classes. The real world has hit my doorstep and I’m trying to prepare as much as I can for the future. I’m not going to lie, my mind has been consumed with my future. I can’t stop thinking about my dreams, aspirations, and how I want my life to be. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to think about who you want to be in life, but you shouldn’t let those thoughts and your plans overwhelm you! Here are some things you can do to reduce stress your senior year.
1—Live in the moment. As cliché as it sounds, this is probably the most important thing you can do your senior year. I am notoriously bad at living in the moment. I am always quick to move on or go to the next big adventure of my life. Sometimes, I struggle to appreciate the moments that I’m in now and always have a tendency of dreaming about my future. Note to self, slow down! You are never going to be a senior in college again. Make time for your friends, frequent your favorite coffee shop, and actually pay attention in your classes. It is so easy to give in to senioritis and have a career track mind only, but don’t do it. There are still so many memories to make even in your senior year in college.
2—Prepare but don’t overkill it. Let’s face it after you graduate you are thrust into the real world, whether you’re ready for it or not. For your sanity and your parents’ sanity, it’s better to have a plan beforehand. Senior year is the time to network like crazy, fit in those last internships, and start the job search. While I definitely believe in hustling, you shouldn’t do it to the point of maximum stress. Life is unpredictable and even in our most meticulous planning life can throw us some curveballs. As much as we try to prepare for life after graduation, there is no guarantee of landing that dream job right away. Trust yourself that you are putting your best self forward and eventually you’ll find your place.
3—Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t know. A few lucky seniors have known what they have wanted to do since they were five years old. For most of us, that’s not the case. If you don’t know what the heck you want to do with the rest of your life at 22, you are okay! It’s totally normal not knowing and if anything it doesn’t put you in a box. Stop fretting over that. Invest in the skills that you know you have and explore your interests. Start a blog, an online business, etc. Focus on what you love and try new things.
How are you reducing stress, seniors? Let us know in the comments below!
Opening image by Gabriela Duran
