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| The Golden Class of 2015 is coming for you. |
I think I speak on behalf of at least a few of my fellow classmates when I say that my feelings mainly fall into two very much opposite feelings:
1) Finally! It's been forever in the making but we are finally here!
and
2) Wait...when did that happen again? Who on earth thought it was a good idea to put us in charge?
But I think I speak on behalf of a majority of my classmates when I say: Good freaking riddance to junior year. I am so glad to be done with that nonsense.
I have similarly mixed feelings when I think about this year: both the academic year and the year that has passed since June 2013. On the one hand it feels like nothing happened because I distinctly and vividly remember the person that I was and the things that were happening at this time last year. And on the other hand it feels like everything has happened because boy, have we come a long way. (side note: I am so glad that we are still at the point in our lives where one year can change everything)
I remember that this time last summer I felt angry, sad and frustrated with my college experience. I think the biggest lesson that I learned this year is not that those are not valid feelings to have (because they are) but that they don't have to weigh me down. The failures of yesterday have no bearing on the potential successes of tomorrow. Unless you let them, of course. So I guess that's the trick really: don't let them.
Junior year was weird because it wasn't like it was wholly good or wholly bad. It felt like I was living in extremes: the good times were better and the bad times were worse and they always balanced eachother out. For me, junior year has really centered around confronting shortcomings head-on by finding ways to just keep getting by. When you go to a school like ours, there really isn't anywhere to hide from them. I am infinitely grateful for the strong support network of friends and family that I added some truly wonderful people to this year. For a really long time, I felt that letting people be privy to my weaknesses made me vulnerable and idiotic. I have since been amazed not only at the astounding amount of empathy that I have found in my peers but also the fact that my actions, even small acknowledgements, can have a much larger [positive] impact on someone than I think they will. Opening up to anyone is terrifying but I think it's a risk worth taking. It's gratifying to know that I can be helpful in that way but even more than that, to know that the support is mutual.
And I think the majority of the rising senior class, this year has academically been a colossal pain in the butt. Be it fall or spring semester, I think almost every rising senior had their most challenging semester at some point this academic year. I think that we should take comfort in having successfully completed what has widely been acknowledged as the crummiest year of college ever. So there's that-if nothing else, at least it is done.
So cheers to you, my golden lovelies, for three years successfully under our belts. We nearing the crossroad and I have no idea where the next stop is. The uncertainty of that is terrifying but also a little bit exhilarating. But for now, enjoy the respite from our lovely alma mater this summer.
I expect to see you running top form in the fall.
tkc.
