It’s senior year, and you feel like the world is yours. In your mind, everything seems so simple. You’ve convinced yourself that you’re going to land the job of your dreams in the city of your dreams. But as graduation quickly approaches, a lot of realities start to settle in. Realities that the bubble you’ve lived in for the past four years does not prepare you for. Your life and your thoughts seem to be inundated with anxieties, insecurities, and uncertainties for the future. The reality of the fact is that everyone is feeling the same way you are. You’re not alone on this.
College does this wonderful thing where they constantly promote and talk about the alumni that have made it in life. It is definitely a great way to motivate you, but that’s not how life usually works for some of us. They don’t talk about the real struggles that come with life after college. Things like never thinking you are too good for a job. Take any experience you can get because an experience is an experience.
PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas
Not only are fake realities envisioned, but as students, it is easy to get caught up in a comparison train. This is something that I personally struggle with, and I know a lot of others do too. It is so easy to feel like you’re not doing enough to get to where you want to be when the people around you seem to be getting it so easily. You are your own worst critique, and at times like these, you have to step back and evaluate yourself. Walk yourself through every project, collaboration, competition, and award, and recognize your successes. Never let anyone, especially yourself, make you feel like you did not do enough. Everyone’s version of “enough” is different, and you have to evaluate what that is to you and how that fits in with your goals.
College is a fun and scary place where there’s a lot of growing up, tears, and late nights. Most importantly though, it is a place where you truly learn to find and get to know what kind of person you are and want to be. Senior year is always a fun and exciting time. You still have that safety net of school, but you have to start making big life decisions. Nothing in life comes easy, even the best of the best have gone through their fair share in order to get to where they are today. I think the most important thing during these moments is to be self-aware and realistic with yourself. Everyone goes through it, the only difference is whether or not you let these anxieties and insecurities defeat you or make you stronger. Either way, you should be proud—it’s only up from here.
What insecurities do you have about your senior year? Sound off in the comments below!
Featured photo by Kenia Viezcas.
