By: Danielle Zibiri
So it’s the last year of college, and things are getting REAL. The work life balance increases, anxiety is at an all time high and overall life seems 10 times more difficult. We forget to really take care of ourselves during this period, consider other people and make time for what makes us happy, and this shouldn’t be. So whether you have a job lined up already, or you're still figuring out who you want to be, here’s a guide to navigating this final lap.
Academic Planning
I’ve heard so many horror stories about people who assumed they would be graduating on time, and later find out at the advisor meetings, that they’re missing out on a lot of their prerequisites. Not only is this careless, but to pay for another semester or year is absolutely ridiculous and expensive. Prior to your final year of college, it’s important to regularly meet up with your advisor and prioritize these meetings. The summer before your final year, make an effort to plan out that year's schedules with your advisor and oftentimes track your progress.
Social Balance
For those of us that are in sororities, clubs and other organizations while in school, it’s important to remember that this final year is all about working hard and playing hard. It’s the last time you’ll be with your best friends in the same city and take advantage of it! As important as it is to find a great job and ace your GPA, it’s also important to cherish and build your friendships into one’s that can last forever.
Career Preparation
There’s so much pressure to figure out your life at 20. If there’s anything I’ve learnt, a lot of successful people today have no clue what they were doing at twenty. College is a time to find yourself and figure out your interests and if you have a good idea of that or have narrowed that down, then it’s important to actively work towards that goal. By this I mean finding mentors, podcasts and other media sources to teach you more about your field of interest. Collating internships and networking in order to apply for grad jobs is also important for you to do.
Self care and well being
As I’ve said almost 20 times, this is the most stressful time of your college career. It’s important to realize that if your and your mental state are not good then your productivity will be greatly reduced. It might seem like a “cop out” these days, but in reality it only makes you stronger and ready to face the challenges of the school year. Pick whatever you really enjoy and take a day or two to yourself and do that.
Time Management
I think my calendar and the notes app got me through college. I love a good to do list and even better I love checking them off. It’s a known saying that if you fail to plan you plan to fail. So it’s important to plan ahead and actually follow through. Your life will be easier, you can avoid procrastination and any crazy things that may come your way.
Financial Planning
This is a big one for a lot of people, and if you have a job lined up it’s so important to understand the budgeting of the upcoming year. An excel sheet is perfect for this. Work out your savings, your spending and investments. If you're moving out of your college state it may be better to start even earlier to understand your new city, and lifestyle.
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