2008 Woodie Awards
Plan for a smug senior year
Jill Reddish
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Opinion
I have only written 13 pages of actual "paper" this semester. That's right, in three months, while the rest of you have been churning out reams of paper and wasting trees, I have been reading - for pleasure.
This is the first semester in four years that I have had the ability to carry around a novel with me because I have had so little assigned reading and so much free time that it hasn't been necessary to numb my brain with factual information and critical thinking in every free moment I've had.
How is this possible, you ask? Senior's prerogative to take 12 hours or less. This semester I have three "real" classes (but one's a film class), two one-hour music ensembles and ballroom dance.
Now, instead of straight up bragging, I am using this opportunity to spread my wisdom to the future generations of Trinity who are about to register for next year's classes. I realize that this takes years of planning and being on top of things, but for the few people who keep putting things off thinking that senioritis won't kick in, listen to me instead: Senioritis is a reality, and it will happen to you. Just give in. If it becomes possible to take twelve hours or less your last semester here, do it. Here's how:
If at all possible, take a few more hours the fall semester of your senior year instead of spreading it out evenly. Even a moderate course load becomes a pain in the butt as graduation looms.
Avoid early morning classes. Your senior year, something magical happens - everyone you know turned 21. You and your friends will want to spend money to drink in public and toast your exalted status as the golden days of freedom dwindle down. 8:30s and hangovers don't mix.
Know how heavy the course load is for the classes you want or need to take. If it turns out to be more than you think you want, switch - fast. It's actually surprising how understanding professors are about graduating seniors.
Take film classes. They are once a week, entertaining and a light course load, and they still provide valuable cultural insight (right, Dr. Latimore?)
Take ballroom dance. Because everybody should take ballroom dance.
While this may sound like a lazy senior who wants to justify hours spent watching crappy TV shows this semester, there is a method to the madness. Remember, if you plan to go to grad school right after graduating, doing as little as possible your last semester here can help you avoid burnout.
Even if you go right into a job, you will still want a golden time of naps and leisure to look back on. Personally, I'm hoping you actually can "bank sleep" to have for the next few years.
Hopefully, underclassmen will now have something else to consider as they meet with their advisors. Spending an hour every week reading for fun by the fountain really is a worthy goal for your senior year. Schedule it now before it's too late.
And for all those current seniors out there with 18 or even 15 hours…please don't hurt me.
This is the first semester in four years that I have had the ability to carry around a novel with me because I have had so little assigned reading and so much free time that it hasn't been necessary to numb my brain with factual information and critical thinking in every free moment I've had.
How is this possible, you ask? Senior's prerogative to take 12 hours or less. This semester I have three "real" classes (but one's a film class), two one-hour music ensembles and ballroom dance.
Now, instead of straight up bragging, I am using this opportunity to spread my wisdom to the future generations of Trinity who are about to register for next year's classes. I realize that this takes years of planning and being on top of things, but for the few people who keep putting things off thinking that senioritis won't kick in, listen to me instead: Senioritis is a reality, and it will happen to you. Just give in. If it becomes possible to take twelve hours or less your last semester here, do it. Here's how:
If at all possible, take a few more hours the fall semester of your senior year instead of spreading it out evenly. Even a moderate course load becomes a pain in the butt as graduation looms.
Avoid early morning classes. Your senior year, something magical happens - everyone you know turned 21. You and your friends will want to spend money to drink in public and toast your exalted status as the golden days of freedom dwindle down. 8:30s and hangovers don't mix.
Know how heavy the course load is for the classes you want or need to take. If it turns out to be more than you think you want, switch - fast. It's actually surprising how understanding professors are about graduating seniors.
Take film classes. They are once a week, entertaining and a light course load, and they still provide valuable cultural insight (right, Dr. Latimore?)
Take ballroom dance. Because everybody should take ballroom dance.
While this may sound like a lazy senior who wants to justify hours spent watching crappy TV shows this semester, there is a method to the madness. Remember, if you plan to go to grad school right after graduating, doing as little as possible your last semester here can help you avoid burnout.
Even if you go right into a job, you will still want a golden time of naps and leisure to look back on. Personally, I'm hoping you actually can "bank sleep" to have for the next few years.
Hopefully, underclassmen will now have something else to consider as they meet with their advisors. Spending an hour every week reading for fun by the fountain really is a worthy goal for your senior year. Schedule it now before it's too late.
And for all those current seniors out there with 18 or even 15 hours…please don't hurt me.
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