7 Things You Shouldn’t Do as a Senior (Even if You’re so Done with Everything)
It’s so common to see your friends disappear when they earn “senior” status (myself included).
For all the seniors out there, I get it. As a senior myself, I know how quickly every conversation can devolve into questions about my plans post-grad. Sure, I guess that’s reasonable. But I have noticed the spark slowly draining out of eyes when bombarded with such questions about the future.
Still, here we are, a semester and a half away from graduating. Before you go full ghost mode and start referring to yourself as an “alum” prematurely, here’s a lovingly honest list of things you shouldn’t do as a senior.
1. Don’t drop out of everything.
Yes, senioritis is real. But disappearing from all your clubs, jobs, and hobbies won’t make graduation come faster. You’ll just end up bored and weirdly nostalgic by October. Instead of quitting cold turkey, pick one thing, your favorite club, project, or volunteer gig, and stick with it. End it well, and you’ll thank yourself later for leaving with memories (and maybe a good reference letter).
2. Don’t “I’m too old for this” yourself out of new experiences.
Newsflash: you are never too old, or too cool, to try something new on campus. Take that pottery class. Go to trivia night. Join an intramural sport even if you haven’t run since freshman orientation. College is one of the few places where you can reinvent yourself every semester. So before you step into the real world, take advantage of the weird and wonderful for all it’s worth!
3. Don’t rush everything.
The “what’s next” question is basically haunting you at this point. Grad school? Job? Gap year? Existential crisis? You’ll figure it out. Rushing through senior year trying to “get it together” will only make you miss the actual fun parts — the random coffee chats, library gossip sessions, and sunset walks across campus. Things will fall into place. You just need to stay long enough to enjoy the view.
4. Don’t forget to make new friends.
Surprise: friendship doesn’t expire after junior year. There are so many amazing people you probably haven’t met yet — underclassmen, exchange students, or even someone you always see in your building but never talked to. Keep your social doors open. It’ll make those last semesters feel full and alive instead of like a countdown clock.
5. Don’t treat your last year like an aesthetic.
It’s easy to romanticize senior year as this “bittersweet chapter” where everything has to be poetic and cinematic. Don’t pressure yourself to have a perfect final year. It’s okay if you’re not thriving all the time. Just be present. That’s the real core memory.
6. Don’t ghost your professors or mentors.
Those people you’ve emailed for four years? Keep them in your life! A quick thank-you note, a visit to office hours, or even a “you’ve made a big impact on me” message goes a long way. They’ll appreciate it, and future-you might appreciate that connection even more than you realize.
7. Don’t forget to actually celebrate yourself.
You’ve done a lot. You’ve grown, cried, survived midterms, switched majors (maybe twice), and somehow learned how to make a meal out of microwave rice! So celebrate the big stuff and the small wins. Throw yourself a mini dinner party, frame your favorite photo, or walk around campus one last time like the main character. You earned it.
Senior year is all about closing the chapter well. Keep showing up, keep learning, keep laughing. The “real world” will wait and your college journey deserves a proper ending.
Chi Truong | Class of 2026