Posted by Amber Charette
The results are in: you've tested positive for a diagnosis of senioritis. You may be wondering what comes next. Well, fortunately for you, the prognosis of senioritis is generally good. While you may be feeling symptoms of laziness, lack of motivation to complete work or apply to graduate schools and jobs, a sense of apathy in all things school-related and anticipatory anxiety over what happens after graduation, the truth is that treatment for this illness is quite effective. Patients usually respond well to treatment that includes some tips, advice, TLC and a good push out the door! If this last piece of the treatment sounds intimidating and just plain old cruel, that's because it is...but in the best way possible I'm sure (or at least I've decided to believe as a senior myself). With that said, I can't say that everything will go smoothly, you'll get into your top graduate school program or land an awesome job (since I'm in the same boat). I can, however, provide you with some friendly peer tips and advice on how to deal with this ever-common illness that seniors contract.
First off, try your best not to let the stress of searching for a job or getting into your dream graduate program get the best of you. After all, it is your last semester of your undergraduate experience. Be sure to take some time to just enjoy the last several weeks of the semester, including going to your classes to take in as much knowledge as possible. If you're unsure how to find things to do (which would concern me just a bit since you've been here for nearly four years at this point), check out some of the following sources: The Skidmore News, of course, The SOURCE, student announcements, the various bulletins around campus buildings and club email lists. Additionally, be sure to take part in all the senior-directed activities that will be taking place, including, but not limited to, the events planned for senior week.
Next, be sure not to forget that...well -- you don't have that diploma in your precious little hands yet. In essence, don't falter at the finish line: maintain some stamina and actually turn in those final papers, exams, projects, etc. But don't overwhelm yourself either. As an anxious over-achiever myself, I can attest that over-worrying is not the route you want to go during your final weeks as an undergraduate. And remember, this may be the last time that you ever have to go to school...unless, of course, you're like 99% of college students nowadays and have decided to venture on to a totally different career path than what your undergraduate degree is in. But really, on a serious note, your education is one of the best gifts you'll ever be given. Make sure you make the best of it, and don't let your senioritis symptoms take that away from you.
One of the last pieces of advice is to try and spend as much time with your peers as possible. It's not every day (or everywhere) that you can be surrounded by such a vast amount of diversity in one community. Additionally, be sure to reminisce with your friends about all of the crazy, fun, unique and even stressful things you've gotten through over the past four years. Remember that your peers are likely experiencing the same senioritis as you, and talking about it with them can help ease your symptoms.
Finally, be sure to take everything you've gained at Skidmore, and apply it to the real world. Use it to make a difference, become some one that others look up to and continue to aim for higher and better. Your undergraduate career may be nearing its end, but your life has just barely begun. Be sure not to miss any bit of it. And just to set the tone and makes things extra sappy, here's a quote from Ferris Bueller's Day Off for you to examine: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."