Transitioning from high school to college is definitely stressful, albeit exciting. Any life change is bound to elicit such emotions. You’ll find the same to be true when you’re in your last year of college.
As you prepare to leave college behind and start your career, your adulthood, and your journey as a productive member of society, it’s only natural to feel a bit anxious. Then, of course, there’s the pressure of completing all your coursework and credits in time for graduation.
You can make this last year of schooling less stressful in a number of ways, though. Here are a few strategies to consider.
Get Your Ducks in a Row
In order to graduate you have to make sure you complete all appropriate coursework and earn enough credits. At the beginning of your senior year, take the time to speak with a school counselor to make sure you have everything lined up to graduate on time.
Talk to Advisors
Your department advisor is there to ensure you’re taking the right coursework to complete your degree, as well as offer advice on a variety of academic and even personal topics. This isn’t to say you want to approach your advisor like a therapist – these people aren’t paid to listen to every student’s sad story.
However, if you’re feeling stressed about classes, projects, or whether or not your education will translate into a career after school, your advisor can lend you his/her expertise or at least steer you toward appropriate resources.
Arrange for Fewer Classes
If you’ve been diligent about taking full course loads throughout college, you may be able to cut back a bit during your senior year. As long as you’re able to complete required courses and obtain sufficient credits to graduate, there’s no reason not to take fewer classes during your last year as a way to ease stress.
Consider a Fifth Year
If you’ve got more than a full class load to cram into your last year of school, along with a part-time job, internships, or other obligations, perhaps it’s time to rethink your strategy. Plenty of students end up staying as fifth-year seniors for whatever reason, and there’s no shame in taking time to make sure you’re properly prepared to enter the working world.
Once you enter the job market, nobody cares if it took you 4, 5, or 10 years to finish school. They’re only interested in your degree and perhaps any notable activities you participated in or experience you gained. By adding a year to your college curriculum you can take your time, do your best, and reduce your stress in the process.
Look to the Future
Okay, this can definitely be stressful for any student earning a degree through USC online or attending classes on campus. The great unknown of the future can be a scary place, especially after college, when you’ll be expected to put your education to good use and earn a living.
That said, having a plan in place can help to reduce your anxiety about the future. During your last year of college, you should take on internships and start to look for jobs. The reason to do these things now is because you can take advantage of the resources your school offers.
Most colleges not only offer internship opportunities, but they have services available to help students create resumes, prep for interviews, and even find job placement in some cases. Once you’re out of school you’re on your own, so let your college do all they can to help you before then.