Valdosta State University seniors prepare for graduation

VSU seniors set for graduation

VALDOSTA, Ga. – We are in the middle of April, which means it is the home stretch for seniors looking to graduate from college after this semester. But what does that last semester, or those last few months, look like? Well, I caught up with a few seniors here at Valdosta State University to ask for their insight on that very question.

Every class faces adversity. But, as Emily LaPierre points out, this particular class had a very unique introduction to their four years of college.

“My freshman year is kind of where all the pandemic stuff happened, so this year has been a little less restrictive with all of those things going on. There’s been more opportunities for things to happen on campus,” said  LaPierre, Communications Major.

Socially, this has been, more or less, the one normal year for the class of 2023. But, with everything else that a college senior has to do, there isn’t always a ton of time to enjoy it.

“It is a little bit more stressful, just because it’s having to accomplish all of the school work as well as doing job searching and just preparing yourself for life after college, ” said Emily Sanchez, Mass Media Major.

With all of that circling their heads, it’s imperative that mental health is prioritized as well. As with most things in school, each student has found a different answer to that problem.

“I try and get home as much as I can, to just get away from all the assignments, and staying in Valdosta, and being reminded of school”, said Nick Iachino, Mass Media Major.

“I have a seasonal affective disorder situation already, that I’m kind of working through, so senioritis just kind of played into that. It was like, stay in bed, go to class, and stay in bed won a lot of times unfortunately,” said Iachino.

“I actually have a mentor that I rely on, and reach out to when I need advice, ” said Iachino.

Because these seniors are tough cookies, despite all these struggles, not only are they set to graduate, they are set to do big things out in the world. They just have to hold out for a little while longer.

With only three weeks left in the semester, the grind is almost over. So, to all the college seniors out there watching this, or just in spirit, we send you nothing but the best.

Joshua Julian reporting.

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