It feels like just yesterday we were moving into our freshman dorms, arguing about whether the Quad or the Hill was better. And now we’re in our fourth year, about to graduate.
Senior year is so bittersweet. Every day that passes feels like the end of something, and I want to hold on to the moments a little tighter. And as much as I want to soak it all in, I also want to make sure I’m ready for what’s next. So this blog is my little guide for all of us trying to enjoy the moment and prepare for what’s next.
1. Figure out your post-grad plans
Whether you’re applying for jobs, grad school, or still trying to decide, give yourself enough time to plan your next step. The earlier you start, the better.
Update your resume, reach out to a professor or mentor, and carve out a few hours each week to work on applications or research programs. But also don’t let it consume you. It’s so easy to compare yourself with others and feel like you are behind. Remember, everyone’s timeline is different.
2. Make a Rochester bucket list
Do everything you’ve been saying you would “someday.” Literally write out a list of things you want to do while you are here and start checking them off. You don’t want the year to pass by and regret not doing things you wanted. Take that walk through Highland Park during golden hour or by the Genesee River trail, and finally try that restaurant everyone swears is so Rochester coded.
Whether it’s exploring Rochester or pulling one last all-nighter in Gleason for the plot, let yourself feel these moments.
Because one day, you’ll miss the ordinary parts like the walks to class, the random laughter in the library, and the sound of campus in the fall.
3. Enjoy every last Rochester tradition
Meliora Weekend. Dandelion Day. The insane energy during the Boar’s Head Dinner. Go to all of it.
There’s something about those traditions that makes you feel alive. Don’t skip it because you’re too busy. These are the memories you’ll talk about years from now.
4. Stay connected to the community
This is t
he time to lean in and strengthen your relationships. Catch up with that club you joined freshman year. Check in on the people who made your college years feel like home. Your roommates, your professors, and your favorite people around campus.
And after graduation, don’t disappear. Stay connected to the people who shaped your experience here. They’ll be the ones cheering you on as you move forward, and you’ll do the same for them.
Senior year is bittersweet. It’s the last chapter before the next one begins. So live out every moment like a main character, but also pause. Look around. You’re living in one of the most precious seasons of your life.