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."