Senior vs. Senior

While I was home during winter break, I saw my little brother, Kevin, who is a senior in high school, doing things that made me remember my senior year of high school. I wouldn’t say I was nostalgic for high school, but I was reminded of what I used to do compared to my senior year in college now. And let me tell you, senior year of high school was a trip to Disney World compared to senior year in college. (And I’m not saying this because I actually did go on a trip to Disney World in senior year of high school).

When I was a senior in high school, everyone told you your options for the future. In my high school, everyone went to college. Whether they stayed in college was a different topic that was unspoken of. The SATs were something everyone knew about. The guidance counselor would help you with the application process and it only cost 50¢ to send a transcript. Now, senior year in college, no one tells you about the GREs, the general entrance exam to get into grad school. In fact, no one really tells you about the process of getting into grad school, transcripts cost $10, and, to get a job, you need to go searching for someone to help you.

Also, when I was a senior in high school, there was little or no homework. Thus, I could work and I wouldn’t be overwhelmed. During senior year of college, the idea of “free time” doesn’t really exist. I find myself working till 11pm and waking up at 6am in order to just get my homework done for one class the next day.

Another thing about being a senior in high school that was so great was the fun of it being the last year of high school. There was yearbook, superlatives, prom, semis, getting out of school early and more. There was a lot more things to look forward to and to have fun. In college, you work non-stop until graduation and, as soon as that is over, you need to get a job or get into grad school, because you are on your own afterward.

The immense amount of responsibilities associated with senior year in college is directly linked with getting older. Senior year of high school, I was 17 years old. Senior year of college, I am 21 years old. There are certain things that come with being 21 that you didn’t have to worry about when you were 17. But these responsibilities are just a pre-test for the real world, which is 4 months away.  My advice to seniors in high school—enjoy it while you can.