Somehow, I’ve made it—senior year. I’ve only been able to say that for a couple of months, so don’t feel the need to take any of this advice seriously, what do I know? While I’ve only experienced half of my last year at Covenant, I can already say that it is nothing like what I expected it to be. Perhaps that’s dramatic, but for the most part, it’s true. I don’t believe there’s a correct formula for this whole senior thing, but I’m having a good time, and I think you should too. Here’s my advice for being a Senior:
Where you live is important. Live on campus. Or, live off campus. Either way, you’ll be fine. I would advise that you go where your friends are. They are going to be the ones that make this year the best that it could possibly be. Start dreaming about that house that you want to fill with all of your best friends and cheap furniture you will find on Facebook Marketplace. You may never get to live in a house with all your best friends again, so take the opportunity if it arises. Or, join the small (but growing) number of seniors who are not quite ready to leave their communal bathrooms and hall culture. You may not have your own space as you would in a house, but you’ll grow to look forward to seeing the same people every morning in the Great Hall. And trust me, you won’t be the only one staying—you’ll have people like Abigail Baity and Carson Culbertson to talk to about how weird it is that just yesterday we were trying to figure this all out.
Try and have very open hands with what's next. Planning ahead is good, and wise. But so far, senior year has been a grand unveiling of how little control we actually have, so I would advise leaving some room for the unexpected. Apply for the job that would take you to New York City. Go overseas for a couple years. Consider a world in which you stay in the area. Seek positions that help those without a voice. Stay away from corporations that take advantage of people. Live a quiet life with no recognition. Start a family. Be a good friend. Seek justice. As you’re thinking of next steps, I want to challenge you to think beyond a career, ponder the kind of person you want to become.
Make new friends! And do not give up on the old ones. Try and get to know the freshman, they may think it’s cool that you’re a senior (even if you’re only 2 years older than them). They might just learn something from you, but you will definitely learn a whole lot more from them. Let them teach you about life. They will probably think you have it all figured out because you’re about to graduate. So teach them that there is no such thing as figuring it out. If you go into your senior year thinking that you’re done making friends, you’ll miss out on knowing some of the best people ever, like AG Heston and Malachi Smith. But don’t forget the ones that carried you through the past three years, like Bella Metcalfe. I mean, if you go through a class as challenging as Intro to Biblical Studies with someone, you will know them for the rest of your life. So keep pursuing those who have stuck by your side.
While you’re waiting for your life to change, recognize that your time here is not over yet. The future can be an exciting thing, and I know some of you are very eager to get there (it will come eventually, it always does). Your senior year is full of potential! Covenant still needs you to be here, and I believe you may still need it as well. I don’t think I’m the only one who is not quite ready for things to end. And maybe you’re experiencing something different and find yourself halfway out the door. However you’re feeling, know that you’re not alone. Try not to let how you’re feeling take away from the fact that you are still here. There is still good work to be done and ways that you will change. It truly is not over until it’s over.
People ask me what it’s like being a senior, and if I’m honest, it feels like that lump you get in your throat when you’re on the verge of tears but are trying your best to hold it in. It seems as though no moment, no matter how good, is safe from this lump that comes, bringing its reality of leaving along with it. It’s easy to get so stuck in the reality of leaving that you forget that it’s not your reality, not yet. When you get stuck, you will need to cling to people like Michal McCampbell and Trey Amell, who will constantly remind you that leaving doesn’t mean that everything will end. You will still have those people who continue to show up for you, the showing up will just start to look a little different. No matter what you hear, it is possible to remain close with your college friends for a very long time. I’m sure you can think of who those people will be right now. And when all of this is over, you will take the ways you’ve been changed by Covenant into the world, and hopefully bring about good and real change. In its essence, senior year is just experiencing something very special for the last time, so look around at all the goodness still to be tasted, and try your very best not to wish it away.