Senior year can be a daunting topic and experience for many. Whether you are like me-getting a few tears in your eyes at the thought of leaving your time in school to head into the “real” world, or you simply can’t wait to hightail it out of here, the transition can feel overwhelming. Still, there are a few things I’ve done during my second-to-last semester on campus that have helped make my undergraduate experience as meaningful as possible. Here is your guide to having a senior year to remember.
Step One: Class Selection
While you may not think much of class selection-especially after doing it time and time again, your senior-year schedule matters more than you might expect. In some cases, you won’t have a lot of flexibility, especially if your four-year plan was set in stone from freshman year. However, it is absolutely crucial to take at least one fun class. Northern offers so many unique courses outside your major, just waiting for you. Whether you are looking for one credit or four, there is something out there you’ll genuinely enjoy.
Personally, I cannot recommend the Wine Studies class enough. You might have to battle it out during registration, but the effort is worth it. Having the opportunity to take a more “creative” course-like learning about wine and the tasting process-has made my heavier class days feel more manageable, especially knowing a glass of wine was always waiting at the end. Whether it’s wine, skiing, or yoga, it’s important to take a class you’ll look back on fondly and tell your family about with nothing but good things to say.
Step Two: Get Involved on Campus : It’s Not Too Late
As an underclassman, joining a campus organization can feel intimidating, and it might seem like your chance to get involved passes after sophomore year. I fell into the same way of thinking, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. The experiences I’ve had and the friends I’ve made through joining a handful of organizations at the start of my senior year have been invaluable.
“Its improved my connections and experiences for sure. Its made me feel more in tune with my peers and with the university’s community as a whole. Above all else, its taught me alot of time management skills as well.” Said graduating senior Austin Graham, when sharing about his last few months across his student organizations.
It is never too late to make new connections or learn new skills, whether they relate to your major or not. Any level of personal growth or development is a step toward becoming more well-rounded, well-connected, and ultimately more employable. You never know-the people you meet along the way just might end up becoming friends for life.
Step Three: Accept Every Invitation Possible
Step three might just be the most important step in making the most of what could be your final year in school. It is so easy to choose to stay home. It’s warm, familiar, and comfortable, and declining an invitation to a bonfire, event, or even a night out can feel quick and painless…in the moment. But looking back on your time in school, you don’t want to regret living the same day over and over again. The things you will truly remember are the spur-of-the-moment trips with your friends, whether it’s a study date or a night out on the town. You are only in school for four short years, and trust me-it goes by in a flash. Soak up every moment and experience you possibly can.
Your time in school is short, and senior year is even shorter. It’s a season filled with endings, beginnings, and the bittersweet in-between moments you’ll carry with you long after graduation. By choosing classes that excite you, saying yes to new opportunities, and surrounding yourself with people who make campus feel like home, you give yourself the chance to create memories that last. Senior year isn’t just about finishing strong-it’s about appreciating where you are, who you’ve become, and the experiences that shaped you along the way. Make it count.
