For most seniors, their final year probably comes with a mix of bittersweet emotions ranging from excitement to anxiety and everything in between. Whatever you are feeling or going through, chances are, you鈥檙e not alone.
Senior Class Council sat down with senior Tiara Stephan to get an inside look at how our seniors are doing. Originally from Greenwood Village, Stephan is dual majoring in psychology and political science. Here, she dishes on what she鈥檚 up to this year, plans for after graduation and advice for freshmen in their first semester.
Tiara Stephan
How is senior year going so far?
It鈥檚 been going alright! I finally feel like I鈥檝e managed to gain some sort of balance between school, work, extracurriculars and life. Took me three years to make my priorities actually priorities, but here we are!
Are you involved with any organizations or work on campus?
When I鈥檓 not in class, you can probably find me working as a digital communications assistant for . After the regular work day is over, I鈥檓 a senior editor for the ;听a co-founder and the director of communications for ;听and a member of , a co-ed community service fraternity. My schedule is pretty full, but I wouldn鈥檛 have it any other way!
Do you have any tentative plans for after graduation?
I wish I could give you something a little more specific than get a job and move to the East Coast, but that鈥檚 about all I鈥檝e got at this point. I take great comfort in knowing that quite a few people are in the same boat and the feeling that everyone already has it all together isn鈥檛 necessarily true.
What are you most excited about for your last year at CU? What are听you nervous about?
I think the answer to both of those questions is graduating. I鈥檓 excited to get out and see what life outside of academia looks like, but, of course, that comes with a lot of uncertainty and struggle, too. I鈥檓 trying to keep my plans loose and my expectations moderated, so I can be ready for whatever twists and turns are on the horizon.
Since you鈥檙e now in your final year, do you have any advice for freshmen in their very first semester of college?
Probably just to know where your priorities lie and to make sure your priorities bring you some sort of joy on some level, whether it鈥檚 building relationships with people, getting eight听hours of sleep a night or challenging yourself to take on leadership positions in organizations.
Academics have always been a huge priority for me, as they should be; but I鈥檝e found a lot of my personal growth has come from being involved in my community and living life outside of classes. Don鈥檛 be afraid to put yourself out there!
