Advice for Rising Seniors

There’s tons of blogs and advice out there for those that just graduated and are looking for jobs, or are missing the life they had in college. But how about the ones counting down the days until their last first day of Fall semester? The ones that haven’t quite reached the finish line yet, but they can practically taste it. I’m going into my senior year at Auburn soon, and the confusing, exciting, sad emotions are all starting to knock at the door. Join me as I share my advice on navigating this fleeting stage of your life. 

Take a Breath

The thought of going into your final year of school is a very scary one. It’s important to take a moment and a breath. Realize that, while this is the end of something huge, it’s also the beginning of something great. It’s okay to be scared, but don’t let that keep you from enjoying your last year on The Plains. 

Make a Bucket List 

The greatest idea I was ever given was to make a senior year at Auburn bucket list. All those things you never had time for, or the ones you just kept pushing back, deserve priority in these next nine months. The endless traditions on this campus could fill up your list in seconds. Maybe you should finally try that restaurant you always drive past. Take advantage of the things right at your fingertips that you just never paid attention to before. Here are some examples of what you can add to your list:

• Roll Toomer’s for every single Auburn win (and pick up some lemonade while you’re there!)

• Picnic on Samford Lawn

• Go to the Tiger Walk before a football game

• Pull an all-nighter in RBD

• Take a fun, non-major elective

• Go hiking or biking at Chewacla 

• Try all the restaurants downtown you’ve never tried

• Get tickets for an away football game

• Document everything (buy that digital camera you’ve been eyeing) 

Cherish Your Friends

You only get one more year to be in the same place, at the same time, with the same schedule as your friends. Take advantage of that. Instead of sitting at home when you have nothing to do, plan a hangout with your friends. Have fun experiences like bowling, karaoke, or anything that isn’t just sitting on the couch. This last year is going to be a stressful one, but don’t lose effort in your friendships. Even if you can’t actually see them, send a text to check in or give them a call on your walk to class. It’s okay to sacrifice a little bit of study time this last year to gain the experiences and the connections that you no longer have access to when you graduate. 

Networking

This might be my least favorite word from my time at Auburn. I hear it just about every day, and it’s a lot easier said than done. However, just because it’s a little triggering for most of us, it is so important for our futures. Take this last year to re-introduce yourself to your past teachers, go up to the guest speakers after class, and ask your bosses and teachers if they know people in your desired field. Just being able to connect with the people around you can help so much in your inevitable job search. The great thing about Auburn is that our faculty and staff care so deeply about the success of the students, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding people to connect with. 

Stop Comparing Yourself

One of the hardest things I’ve experienced at Auburn is comparing my success to those around me. I could use up every second in my schedule, and I still feel like I’m not doing enough. It took me a while to learn this, but you have to stop trying to one-up the next person’s resume. Yes, experience is important, but it’s not going to help much if you’re burnt out before you ever get a job. This journey is yours. It doesn’t have to look like everyone else's. Not every student is career-ready straight out of college, and that’s okay. Take a break if you need one. And if you don’t need one, go find the job that’s going to make you happy, not the one that looks better on paper than someone else’s. 

Make Mistakes

It feels weird to say this and call it advice, but make mistakes this year. By this, I don’t mean life-ending, career-risking decisions. But stay up super late one night just because you’re having fun with your roommate, even though you have an 8 a.m. the next day. Skip class on a Friday to travel to that away football game you put on your bucket list. Give yourself some grace to be human. The world doesn’t stop spinning when we make mistakes. The beauty of messing up is that you learn something every single time. Do the things that are going to give you memories for a lifetime, even if they aren’t ideal decisions. Take advantage of the last year of “freedom” you get before jumping on the train to real life. 

Feel All the Emotions

This last year won’t be easy. Even if your classes are a breeze, the weight that comes with graduating from college will be heavy. It’s okay to be sad, confused, and feel like you aren’t ready. Let yourself feel these emotions and know that they are a good thing. As Winnie the Pooh says, how lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. Lean on your friends and those in the same position as you. Allow yourself to go through the rollercoaster of emotions this season will bring; you’ll step off a better person.

Find Aubie

Just to lighten the mood, you should always find Aubie. See how many pictures you can get with him before you graduate. The good news is, he's not going anywhere, so next time you find yourself on The Plains, you'll definitely see him again.

This is a scary time for all of us. But the good news is we aren’t alone. This may be the best year of your time at Auburn, so don’t hold back. And remember: they wouldn’t give you the degree if you weren't ready. You can do this!

Be Well, Auburn.