Oh gosh. How can it already be almost the end of the semester? I am telling you — it seems like I just started college yesterday. And here I am, four years later, about to graduate in just 3 and a half short weeks. While that makes me super excited (hello, no more school!) I am also sad because the next few weeks here will be a lot of “lasts” in a place where I had so many “firsts”. I met my husband here, met some of my closest friends, adopted my sweet kitty, pulled many an all-nighter and discovered that I am not immune to “college kid syndrome”. Here are 8 tips for college seniors and late night studiers to get you through the next few weeks (no matter what semester you are in/also these work for my #girlbosses who are working tirelessly to reach their goals).
8 Tips For College Seniors
This post is sponsored by Rohto Eye Drops. All opinions are honest and my own.
Don’t let dry, red eyes show the world just how late you stayed up last night.
If you are like me, you know that staying up late (or sometimes all night) is just part of the job when it comes to being a student. But don’t let your tired eyes show just how little sleep you got. Dry eyes can be annoying and distract you from being the best student you can possibly be. That’s where Rohto Eye Drops come in.
It’s totally okay to feel like a zombie, but looking professional is important. Stay on top of looking and feeling your best with Rohto.
Don’t stop being organized.
This one is huge. I know that it is the end of the semester and you would so much rather be playing and applying for jobs and graduate school and million and one other things. But don’t get swept up and mess up your last semester. Continue taking notes, studying your tail off and finish on a high. I promise you can do it.
Spend time with your friends.
For a lot of us, this is the last time we will all be in one place (insert ugly cry here). Take time to get up early and go to breakfast with your friend, bring them a cookie from your favorite dessert shop after they’ve had a particularly rough test, or have a girls day complete with mani/pedis and facials (save money and do it at home). Life is better when you have good friends to keep you grounded. Don’t forget about them during this stressful time.
Create a career plan.
I know. I know this one is scary. BUT. I think it is important. If you don’t already have a job or internship lined up, now is the time to get cracking. Funny enough, it isn’t easy to get a job once you graduate. I always thought if I had a degree (in biochemistry, none the less) I would find it super easy to find a job in the real world. Unemployment rates for recent college graduates has doubled in the last 10 years, so I would make sure you start applying early and get those letters of recommendation going.
Realize that it’s ok if you don’t have it figured out.
^^This picture is of me, posing, not having it all figured out quite yet.^^ I know this seems totally opposite of what I just said, but remember: it is OKAY not to know what you want to do, even after you just spent thousands of dollars on a degree. Some people get to the end of their degrees and realize that this is not AT ALL what they wanted to do with their life. Education is never wasted. Find something you are good at, and figure out how to make money doing it. My goal is to have a job I LOVE doing, so it never feels like real work.
Take all the pictures.
I always feel like I never have enough pictures with my husband or my friends. I made a goal to take a million pictures this semester and I am getting close. If I didn’t take pictures, I would miss out of remembering memories like this one canoeing with my best friends this summer. I look goofy and silly in the back but we had so much fun. I love love love pictures.
In my closet, I have a memory box that I started my freshman year of college and I pulled it out the other day to look at the last four years. I’ve saved every movie stub, haunted house ticket, hospital bracelets, and cruise passes. My husband and I laughed looking back and I cried a little bit for the end of an era of life for me. Moral of the story: take pictures so you are able to look back on an amazing time in your life.
Organize your finances.
I realized that my husband and I needed to decide how much money to spend on a place to live, what our new budget would be, what new expenses we are about to incur, and tons of other financial things we need to look at. We are lucky right now to pay an embarrassingly low amount of money for rent because we live right outside of campus and being a church school, it doesn’t cost nearly as much as everywhere else in the country. We are about to get slapped in the face with reality, so we need to get ready for it.
Don’t burn yourself out.
I know you need to study and do well, but don’t forget to take part in some self-care. Being a college student (in my case, a married college student) means you have a ton of stress put on you. It seems like everyone and their mother wants to know what we are doing next, where we are going and what our five-year plan is. Breathe, take a bubble bath, pour yourself a glass of sparkling cider, and remember that you are more than just a framed degree on a wall. You are going to do AMAZING things. And if you can take a getaway weekend trip to Vegas….do it.
PIN THIS FOR LATER:
I hope my college ladies enjoyed these 8 tips for college seniors, and if you aren’t in college, I hope you found something useful in it, too. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re doing as long as you are leaving wherever you are better than you left it. I like to think I made people’s lives a little bit brighter during my time here at school. I am ready for the next adventure.
Don’t forget to pick up your Rohto Eye Drops to keep yourself looking awake and alert (even if you spent 8 hours cramming last night). They’ve got you covered for dry eyes, redness and itch relief.
Thanks for stopping by!
Definitely a lot of lasts but also some fun firsts. Enjoy it!
http://adoredbyalex.com
Girl, I had NO idea how good we had it in Rexburg in terms of rent until we moved after graduation and everything DOUBLED! Holy cow! I couldn’t believe we were only spending 645 a month in Rexburg for an almost brand new 2 bedroom apartment WITH internet and now that we live just a state away, everything has basically doubled! What are your plans for after graduation? Are you going to find a job or work on your blog?
I know. OMG. SO EXPENSIVE. LOL. And right now, I plan on looking for a job once we move but I will work on my blog in the meantime. I goal is to go full-time by January, and if that happens, then I will probably turn this into my job 🙂
Please tell me where you guys got those dresses! They’re so cute! I love when an outfit can be beautiful but simple at the same time.
Me too, Chelsea! They are from LuluBella Boutique!!
This is all such great advice! Senior year blew by for me!
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
Smart girl! Great tips!! Love this scary pic of the red eyed monster! LOL! Congrats on completing your degree!
Thank you!!!
Such a cute blog post! You totally made me miss college!
YES, YES, YES!!! I had a hard time when I first was transitioning to working full time after college. I ended up getting a paper planner and signing up for mint.com and those only put me back on track real quick! Haha Great post! Thanks so much for sharing!
It’s been a long time since I graduated from college but these are all great tips. Getting your finances in order is so important, especially if you have student loans that kick in after graduation. Congratulations on your impending graduation!
Being organized helped me so much during my senior year, and of course in my adult life now!
I love your tips, having a career path but realizing you don’t have to have it all planned out is hard but really good. Hope your excited for your graduation!
It’s so important to make time for fun in college. Those are the days you remember most!
And here I am wrapping up my career and making plans for enjoying the rest of my life! You are embarking on a wonderful and exciting part of your life, and, the pictures are important!
You are a beautiful, smart and wise! Life goes so fast and changes from day to day. Always do something that makes you smile and scatter kindness. It will give you a great outlook every day!
Thank you so much. 🙂
Such great ideas! You are right it is ok to not have it all figured out. It is equally imporatnt to get a handle on finances and start planning some career moves. Those are the steps that will help you move forward.
What a great list! Definitely enjoy your last semester it definitely was a memorable one for me!
Silvia
http://www.lovelysilvia.com
Time definitely flies! It is so important to take things in stride! You don’t always have to know what you are doing.
Ohhhhh…. early congrats to you girl! And no ugly crying! Glad you have those eyedrops to help out! haha… not that you need it because I seriously cant imagine you doing any ugly crying or anything ugly! Enjoy all those last “first” moments of school!
These are great tips! Getting finances in order is definitely important. Certainly not something you want to fly by the seat of your pants.
Oh to be a college senior again lol. I love the tips you give out to the youngins… great post!
It’s so important to realize it’s ok if you don’t have it all figured out. It takes time to truly figure out your identity and what you want to do with your life.
This is very useful. I usually love to show off my insomniac eyes look to let others know that I’ve studied. But that’s just on immature college level. Else, I’m very professional. Thanks for the tips! 🙂
College is all about learning who you are and want to be. You really don’t have to figure it all out, Just have fun, work hard, enjoy your time in school because being a adult will sneak up on you before you know.
When I was a college senior I was like in a state of frazzled. I was excited but so nervous at the same time because I wanted to make sure my career was going to take off. It didnt take off right away (graduated in the height of the recession) but it is definitely ok if you dont have all the answers, that is what being an adult is about school doesnt make you magically get it all together at once.
College is really one of the most stressful parts of my life. Lucky for girls whose reading this.
BE ORGANIZE! Really helps a lot especially if you’re a forgetful one. Haha
Congrats to being almost done with school!! It’s definitely stressful in college, but being organized and having some fun time with friends to de-stress really helps!!
GIRL all great tips! Also loving the goal “take a million pictures”. That’s solid. Enter my new 2017 goal with the hubs. HA.
Coming Up Roses
It looks like you’re used to the life in school when you’re a senior but in reality there are still things that will stress you out. I think these are amazing tips to help seniors get through the year. No matter how stressful it gets, it’s important to take a breather and slow down.
Ok I basically love this post! It is perfect!
xo, Hales | http://www.sincerelyhales.com