Well, here we go again. It’s time to head back to Eastern for my last semester. I have been dreading going back to school because I just want to be over with it and get on with my life.

I know people say this is the best four years of your life and they will go by fast. For me, these four years have often felt more like eight. The memories I have made seem like they happened yesterday, but the studying and test taking and going to class has really become a challenge the closer I get to graduation.

Don’t get me wrong; I love college, but I just want to get a job, start paying off my student debt and start doing fun things that I can cross off my bucket list. I guess you can say that I am having “senioritis” before classes have even started.

My 2020 New Year’s resolution is to graduate. I have only made resolutions a few times in my life. It baffles me when people say they will give up a certain food for a whole year and then they cave after a week. Why would I resolve to do something for a year that I know I won’t or can’t stick to? I think resolutions should be about reaching a goal instead of depriving yourself of something, especially if that goal is important to you. Graduating is important to me, so I am going to give it all I’ve got to make that happen. The problem is I am having trouble getting myself psyched up for it. 

Over break I took lots of naps, stayed up late and caught up on TV shows that my mom and I like to watch together (every holiday baking show we could find). There were a few family get-togethers for the holidays, and I spent a couple days visiting my grandparents. Now I am not looking forward to getting up early and keeping track of classes, homework, club meetings and work.

On the flip side, I am looking forward to spending time with my best friend and binge-watching “The Golden Girls.” We also have regular Friday night dinners at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, where we can laugh about some things and vent about others. It’s a good way to decompress at the end of a stressful week, and it gives me something to look forward to.

I know that during my last semester at Eastern I will be reflecting on the things I have accomplished and looking forward to life beyond the campus. That’s natural. In the meantime, I need to find a way to manage this “senioritis” so it does not affect my grades and mental health. As much as I want this semester to end, I will have to take it one day at a time and stay on top of everything this semester wants to throw at me. I’m just hoping it will not be too much.

Kate Rehwinkel is a senior management major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or at kerehwinkel@eiu.edu.