Tackling the First Week of College as a Senior
It’s official: this was my last first week of college! I am a Senior this year (and graduating a quarter early) so hopefully by this time next year, I will have a full-time job in my career field. I am so ready to be done (no homework and checking a degree off my list of goals), but I am also really nervous. The future looms above my head like a cloud of confusion and with it, I am anxious about what life will be like after graduation. But there is no sense in worrying and missing all the exciting moments, so here is how I spent my first week enjoying senior life!
I started off of course with my back to school outfit- I have been dressing up for the first day since kindergarten, and it is a tradition that stays strong for good reason! I feel so much more confident and like myself. There is something to be said about leaving a positive first impression- it is how you establish yourself and are perceived by peers and professors. I like to show my personal style and effort when it comes to being prepared. As a result, I feel like I can accomplish anything on that first day if I am dressed my best.
My classes seem to be going smoothly- I recognize a lot of faces, and the topics are really interesting this quarter! One nice thing about DePaul is that all of our classes are small in size. Mine have ranged from twelve to a max of forty students, but most of them are around twenty-two students. Plus, within my program, we can really get to know each other. The first week is a lot more enjoyable and not stressful when you can skip the small talk and chat with each other! After classes end for week one, it is still warm out, so my friends and I love to take in the views and recap our first week activities.
I definitely need to recenter after getting back into the ‘work mode’ of being back in my academic schedule, so I made sure to catch my favorite yoga class at the Ray. I go to Hatha Raja with Kali, and try to make a class every week. It really helps to work on mindfulness, flexibility, and strength. After class ended, I felt revived. My mind was really clear and the shoulder tension of carrying my backpack (that I overstuff every year) disappeared. Access to group fitness classes at the Ray are included in tuition, so there is a really great opportunity to get active during the quarter!
The end of the first week came by almost as quickly as college passed. I remember feeling nervous, excited, and unsure of the future when I first arrived at DePaul. Now, I think back to “freshman year me” and know that she would be proud and impressed with how far I have come. The last first week is over and I did it- and it was easy. Once you pass that hurdle, the rest of senior year will be a breeze.
~Breanne