Senior year is coming up, and it scares the crap out of me.
In about ten months I will be tossed out into the real world. A big-girl job, bills, loans and more responsibility is right around the corner -- taunting me, always lurking in the back of my mind.
Soon enough my late nights out with friends, enjoyable courseload, roaring cheers at football and volleyball games and hours spent at The Daily Collegian will be cut from my life, replaced by the adult world.
It's hard to believe just three years ago I was in the same boat as you -- excited, nervous and curious while beginning my journey at Penn State. The time has flown by, which it tends to do when you're having the time of your life. And though the time has gone too fast and life after college is catching up to me like a runaway train charging down the tracks, I still have a year to live it up.
You're even luckier with four glorious years ahead.
After reflecting on my time in Happy Valley so far, my advice to incoming freshmen, new students and students in general is simple: Take advantage of every opportunity Penn State has to offer, and you will have a college experience unmatched by any other.
Penn State's atmosphere allows for open-minded people to learn new things and have a blast in and out of class. It offers so many different ways to experience life from a whole new perspective that you'd be a fool to let it pass you by.
With this in mind, I'd recommend doing the following:
Join a random club that is completely off the wall. Play an intramural sport that you've never played. Join a band or choir. Work a job that has nothing to do with your major. Study abroad in a place that fascinates you. Go to a bar (when you're old enough) that's blasting strange music and order a crazy drink. Live in a two-bedroom apartment with five other people. Dress like a fool and dance at the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. Take a road trip to an away football game and be obnoxious in the visitors' section.
These things will help you make friends, get involved and create great memories, but even more importantly, they will all teach lessons that go beyond the classroom and will actually translate into "real-person" world.
Living with a random stranger will teach you how to adapt and compromise. Working and going to school will teach you time management and how to prioritize. Epic nights out will teach you how to mask a hangover (I recommend a strong cup of coffee and a sturdy pair of sunglasses.) Joining a club on campus will demonstrate the importance of commitment and dedication. Participating in THON will show you how to appreciate each day and celebrate the people you care about. Traveling through school, whether it's locally or around the world, will emphasize tolerance and appreciation of culture and people.
Throughout my first three years of school, I've done more, seen more and experienced more than I ever have in my life, and it has changed me for the better. It has allowed me to grow academically and emotionally, establishing a solid foundation for my to build my future on.
The real world is coming fast and there's not much I can do to stop it -- aside from intentionally throwing my senior year. Tempting, but I don't think Mom and Dad would appreciate it.
So I accept it. I deal with the fact that in 10 months I'll be leaving Happy Valley with a diploma, memories and everything I learned -- both in and out of the classroom -- while I was here.
Grabbing life by the horns and jumping in with both feet, committing fully to my college experience, has made Penn State my second home. This has the potential to be the best four years of your life -- take advantage of the time and opportunity and go make it happen.
