Congratulations to the graduating Seniors: Senior year in review

Senior year: the final countdown; the last hurrah; the last year of being a “kid” – well somewhat, at least.  This is not the time to come down with a bad case of Senioritis.  This is the time to immerse yourself in every Stony Brook activity possible, make that last push to excel in class, and apply everything that you’ve learned during the past three years in the pursuit of a career.  Yes, senior year is bittersweet, but it is also crunch time. 

            Your last two semesters are essentially a compilation of all of your hard work: where you can shine and showcase your academic talents and leadership abilities.  You can become engrossed in the Stony Brook atmosphere, while simultaneously preparing yourself for your future after graduation.  This is the time to utilize the networks that you have created throughout different departments and use them to your benefit.      

            Looking back, it is interesting to see how much you have developed over the past four years.  In freshman year, as a 17 or 18-year-old, Stony Brook University was a brand new environment, which was both intimidating and exciting.  At 21 or 22, after four years of educational growth, personal maturity, and professional development, Stony Brook is viewed as a different place.  “When I first came to Stony Brook, I just viewed it as a school.  Now, I view it as a home, a workplace, and a place to have fun and relax.  Now that I am a leaving, it would be a lie to say that I am not going to miss it,” said Ivan Xie, a senior who is majoring in Business Management. 

            I’m not saying that senior year should solely be dedicated to creating and preparing for your life after Stony Brook.  There must be balance.  Be proactive and cognizant of the future, but be sure to be social: spend time with friends, have carefree days, and set aside some serious “me” time.  Conceivably, this may be the last time in your life that many of your friends are all together.  Take advantage of the opportunities you have this year to stay involved on campus while maintaining your friendships. 

            The world can be a scary place, and nobody is going to hold your hand through interviews or other challenging situations that will come your way.  As you truly emerge into adulthood, with real adult responsibilities, it is time to exercise your independence and decide what is best for you in life.  Whether you go to graduate school, find a job, or travel and take a year off, you are the only person who knows what is right for you.  Stony Brook University has laid the foundation for what looks to be a promising future: go out and seize the opportunities that lay before you. 

 

Interview featuring Senior, Kirin Mahmud