The Last Week of Classes at Undergrad

 It's been very emotional thinking that this is my last full week of classes as an undergrad. It's basically my Senior week. With all the goodbyes, the tears, the last assignments, and just all the recognition we get as someone graduating.

During my time here at Bradley, I've felt so many emotions. Almost too many. I've felt lonely, appreciated, happy, depressed, excited, scared, and lastly, brave. I know I had days where I did not want to get up from bed. But I did. I made it to class. I did my assignments. I showed up. 

There are other days when I didn't though and it upsets the high school Jenny. I was a goodie-goodie, I was never tardy, never missed an assignment, and never missed class. When you're in college, it's all in your hands. There's no punishment, no one calling your parents and letting them your every move. It's all under your hands. It's scary to realize the power you have and how you take advantage of it. 

Postgrad is even more scary. I am not excited about my journey because I am in denial. I wish I could start over my college years, do it better, yet push myself a little more.

I know the lives I've impacted and how much I did on campus, but to me, it was not enough. They were not lying when they said college comes and goes in a blink of an eye. 

Class of 2023, we're almost done. 

Post-Graduation Feels

 At first, everyone makes it seem like life after graduation is scary. Well yes, obviously it is. But have you talked to anyone who has a corporate job now? 

Last summer, I talked to professionals, people with actual jobs, about how they felt after college. They all told me they didn't have it figured out either. They still don't have it figured out. It relaxed me a bit. Some of them are still trying to figure out what they want to do. It is so normalized.

Within these past couple of days, I've realized that after college of course I don't have a job. But this is my time to explore, gain more experience, get promoted, network, etc. This is where I confidently use all my networking skills. I believe in myself and I feel less afraid to graduate college without the best job in the world. 

Jobs are just another learning experience and I am just a sponge ready to take it all in. 

Class Presentations in College

 Being anxious whenever you have to present in front of a whole class is so normalized. But when you come to college, you don't think about these things. You are still being graded for your performance and how well you do up there. In reality, it is such a helpful skill to start practicing before you graduate.

Even with topics I am confident about or not, I still get nervous. Every time I have to present, I do something different to see what calms me down and makes me present better. I've noticed that I have been better at making sure I look and sound confident. In a previous presentation I had, I was so nervous but made sure I was participating in the presentation before me so I can calm myself. Once I was up there, I made small talk and ask the audience questions that lead to my presentation. Example: "Raise your hand if you drank Pespi within the last week. Raise your hand if you know what Chat GPT is. Etc..." It got the audience moving and relaxed me much more when easing into my presentation.

When I was a Freshman in college, I was told by my peers that they thought I was an upperclassman because of how confidently I spoke, especially being a social butterfly. But in all honestly, before any event, anything that requires socializing, I literally take minutes to myself to have the courage to go. I've grown to basically force myself to be uncomfortable in these settings so I can be more confident in the long run. I'd suggest anyone try it too. Like someone once told me, "You won't grow until you are uncomfortable."

Mental Health in College

 I'll never understand how students in college are expected to exceed in academics, extracurriculars, volunteering, work, and still find time to go to the gym, hang with friends, and most importantly, take care of their mental health.

I sometimes feel like living proof of the impossible.  The busiest. But I don't understand why students are expected to go above and beyond on top of academics. If I am being honest, being a COM major,  I've had much more availability to even take my Social Media Marketing Minor, be as involved on campus, and even run my own business. 

Not everyone has the same academic course load and I am thankful I can balance it out. Although, at a point in time, I realize that I am not taking time for myself which caused me to fall behind.

I wish there was more at Universities like taking a "Mental Health" day at least once a month. What do you think as a student? 

College Reunions

 I think one thing that excites me about post-grad life is college reunions. 

Being that one alumna that comes down to speaker for her organization and is a role model for underclassmen. Being that one weekend where a bunch of alumni comes down just because. 

It excites me to know that in a couple years, the Class of 2023 will actually be doing their own thing. Whether it be someone crazy famous, pursuing their master's, or even starting their own family. The future is unpredictable but we all walk out of college with a huge number of classmates.

As for college reunions, I wonder if Bradley doesn't have anything significant like high school reunions when they invite classes every 10 years to celebrate each other.  Is that a thing? Can that be a thing? Can we all live a Cheaper than a Dozen life for once? Without the kids of course. 

Living on a College Campus

 I understand why living on a college campus is a completely different college experience rather than being a commuter. 

When I was a freshman, I was so excited to live in a dorm for the first time ever. My sister was a commuter back home and I knew I wanted to be away from home to not be miserable driving to school and back every day. 

Something I knew I wanted to do living on campus was live somewhere different every year. I knew I didn't want the same old junk for more than a year even if I loved my space. Freshman year it was a dorm. In my sophomore year, it was Main Street Commons Apartments. Junior year it was living in my sorority house and now as a senior I get to live off campus in my own house.

I love the change every year. It makes me feel independent and adaptable being able to figure out every space differently. I can't wait until I get my own space post-grad. I know I'll love it. 

College Influencers

 I've noticed a lot more on my TikTok for you page about college influencers. I've been easily influenced by them because they are college students like me. I've seen specific college influencers from UIUC, but I am not surprised since I get so many UIUC TikToks. Some of them are Latina and Advertising majors. 

I get influenced specifically because of how they portray their content about themselves. I enjoy seeing the Get Ready With Me, Amazon Hauls, Day in their life, or even just a school event. Sometimes it motivates me to do the same for Bradley's campus but then I get so nervous because of how small our school actually is. 

If I'm being honest, I actually TRIED being a college influencer. The motivation wasn't there though but my ideas were. I wish I executed much more. Being a college lash tech, first-generation Latina, and highly involved was something I wanted to show for my content. Now, it feels like its too late as graduation is nearly less than 3 months away.