College is fun. It really is. I have had some of the best days of my life within the Winona city limits. But along with that, college is equally as stressful. Especially as you reach the final days. It’s bittersweet to think that my college days are coming to an end in two short weeks. I’ll always be grateful for Winona State and what it taught me. This final semester has challenged me and tested my limits like no other. So from one struggling college senior to another, here is my advice on the stress of your last semester.

You’ll Feel Like Giving Up

I’ve reached a point of stress where I wonder if it’s even worth it to get out of bed and go to class. I’m a full-time student with three internships and two leadership positions on campus. On top of that, throughout the semester I spent almost all my free time applying for jobs and maintaining a healthy social life. Some days my to-do list became a mile long, and I’ve felt like completely giving up. But, I’ve learned that it is OK to feel like giving up. Sometimes your mind just needs a mental break. When I am feeling super overwhelmed, I go to the gym, do a face mask or call my mom. When you feel like giving up, do something to take your mind off of things for a little bit. Once you’ve cleared your head, jump back in with a fresh mindset. 

You’ll Question If You’re Ready For Graduation

You spend four years in college and anticipate the day you graduate until you are two weeks out from graduation and realize you have no idea what you’re doing. It’s a sickening feeling to not have a solid sense of direction. I’ve always been the kind of person who had a plan in place months before anything were to happen. The fact that I have no idea what to expect in the next chapter of my life SCARES ME, but it excites me a million times more. The stress of your last semester can make you question if you’re ready for this major life change, but you are ready. You can do this.

You’ll Question Your Major

I’ve noticed throughout my job search that there are many positions in my field I’ve never even heard of. In some job descriptions I’ve seen, I’ve felt so overwhelmed and underprepared that I just had to put my phone down and quit looking because I’d think to myself, “Oh my gosh… I could never do this.” I’ve questioned my major so many times throughout this last semester, but I find it important to remind myself that I have worked four years toward this. I am more than ready and will be able to succeed no matter what. Life is unpredictable, and there’s no way you can prepare for every little thing. It’s important to take it day by day and know it’ll be OK.

You’ll Be Busy

I can’t even begin to put into words how busy you’ll be. Oh. My. Gosh. This last semester has been the BUSIEST semester of my life. Between juggling three internships, finding time to travel to job interviews, maintaining my leadership positions on campus and trying to be a normal functioning human being… there’s not a whole lot of down time. I went to a job interview where one of the questions I was asked was, “What do you do for fun?” And I thought to myself… “I literally work. When I’m not working, I’m working on school. When I’m not working on school I’m in a meeting for a club I’m in. When I’m not doing that, I’m sleeping.” It’s crazy how quickly life can change and how fast it flies by when you’re so busy. But it all pays off… trust me. 

You’ll Be OK

Now, I haven’t graduated YET so don’t quote me on this one. But you’ll be OK. Your last semester of college isn’t supposed to break you or tear you down. Make sure to take time for things that are important to you. Spend time with family. Go out with your friends. Live it up your last few months of college. Everything will work out exactly how it’s supposed to. Good luck, you’ve GOT THIS.