The Last Dance: What a Senior Must Do
The Last Dance: What a Senior Must Do
The last chance to do what a senior must do
posted 1/13/10
It's surreal. Could this really be my last semester at Carolina? Have I really already been here for four years? It sure doesn't seem like it, yet the nerve-wracking process of finding a job or internship after graduation that haunts me tells me otherwise. I tried to be productive over break, I really did. But for the first two weeks I kept thinking to myself, who knows how long it will be before I'm home and get to relax for this long again? So I let my brain turn to mush as I played Wii endlessly with my family and reunited with old friends.
But I returned to Chapel Hill on Sunday with a steely determination to finish my last semester here strong. I have been to all four of my classes already, which means I will never again have a first day of class. In some ways I'm happy about that. For some reason I always get really nervous when the professors make us introduce ourselves and I can never think of a really good interesting fact about myself. But no more first days also means no more classes again. When I try to think about what it will be like not being a student, I draw a blank. Maybe it's because I am in complete denial that I will be graduating in May. For all of the alumni reading, you may remember your own feelings about entering the real world. We are students for about 17 years of our life (if we're lucky and don't have to go to grad school). Books and studying are what we're familiar with, what we know best.
After this semester, I will no longer get to sit down in a classroom and benefit from the minds of intelligent students and brilliant professors. All I can do is enjoy my last semester and be thankful that I got into such a great school that I can rely on to prepare me well for the journey ahead. (By the way, did you guys hear that Kiplinger's just ranked UNC #1 in the list of best values in public higher education? Way to go Tar Heels! Check out the story on the GAA home page). So like I said before, it's going to be good grades and hard work for me – with a lot of fun on the side, of course – so that when I enter the real world I can make my alma mater proud. Once again, I'll keep you all updated with classes and work, but more importantly with the social events and activities that truly mark our college experiences. Wish me luck as I start the adventure toward the end!