Welcome to Senior Spring

Last month I threw out all of my notes from first year and sophomore year (along with my baby teeth that I hoarded from the tooth fairy). I’m a senior and I’m facing the inevitable — moving out of my childhood room in just a few months after I graduate. I can’t imagine I’ll ever need Astronomy 100 notes in a career in journalism. I’m having to make decisions, and for those who know me, that’s not easy.  

As I approach my final days in college, I still have so many things I have yet to learn, do, and document. As a senior at Wellesley College, I have never climbed the tower of Green Hall, danced at Dyke Ball, or attended Rhulman — other than for the food, of course. I have done my share of tunneling, jumping in the lake, and sledding. In the last semester of our undergraduate careers we will all be facing numerous lasts: dinners, all-nighters, and late night movie binges. This is our last time to rebel before leaving the college bubble. Senioritis comes with the package; we may try to drag this semester out as much as possible, but the truth is, our days are numbered.

This blog is about college students readying themselves for the world outside this comfort zone we call home. With all the amenities — a beautiful campus, late night free dining, deadlines that are often flexible, and some good education to top it off — college has created a great security blanket for us over the years.

As I gear up for interviews in a shaky economy, it’s worrisome to be graduating in an unsure job market. We have to look on the bright side, however: at least we didn’t graduate last year! Rents have come down. And for lucky Wellesley women, theWellesley card is worth more than ever with so many alumnae in the White House.

I’m ready to move on physically but whether or not the publishing industry is ready to accept me into its not-so-open arms is another question. Bankers are earning more than ever, oh, how I wish I had enjoyed Econ 101.

Having lived abroad in Spain, Manhattan, and at home inMaine, I invite you to come with me as I crawl as slowly as possible through my last semester. Hopefully everyone on campus can gain some insight or needed laughs, from my fellow 2010ers looking to land a job to fresh-eyed first years just starting their undergraduate journey.

While interning at Real Simple I learned scores of ways to organize a home office or cook a chicken breast, but only experience and friends can help upperclassmen get through the next few months of our senior spring. I hope that I can offer a tiny bit of advice about finances, fashion, and farewells to those who are going through what every college student has to face upon departure. I hope you look at this blog for a peek at what’s ahead, be it figuring out what to trash during senior week, or what to bring with you as you emerge from the college cocoon.