The Spectrum

Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: Perspectives

Media Credit: The Spectrum/ Elyse Harrell Students sort out some last minute affairs at the Registrars office.

As winter break comes to an end this is the last semester for many seniors at Sacred Heart University. Seniors Scott Wagner, Dawn Sapanaro and Dan Reda are facing the many challenges that they and other seniors must deal with as the end of college approaches.

There is no doubt that seniors are getting mentally prepared for graduation and their future careers.

"It's bittersweet because it's the last time I am going to be with college friends. However, at the same time it's exciting because we are starting a new chapter in life. After this experience there are so many opportunities to look forward to," said Dawn Sapanaro, senior, Ramsey, N.J.

Sapanaro spends most of her time writing a senior thesis that is 36-40 pages long which poses as her biggest struggle before graduation in the spring.

Senior Lauren Skutzka had a different set of goals that she set to accomplish before graduation.

"My college goal was to graduate with a decent GPA and make some amazing friends. So yeah, I'd definitely say I accomplished that," said Lauren Skutzka, senior, Albany, N.Y.

Along with the pressure of having enough credits and a good GPA, senior Scott Wagner feels that senioritis is a major concern among senior students. The majority of seniors do agree with Wagner. Senioritis takes a toll on many academic studies, caused by the overwhelming desire to rush through the year.

Thoughts are racing through the minds of soon to be graduates will I get a job, will I be able to handle it, will I get a decent salary. You will soon be a responsible adult ready to take on the challenges of the workforce. Instead of concentrating mainly on schoolwork, seniors are now constantly thinking about what the future holds. If only we had this knowledge freshman year, it would make senior year would be a whole lot easier.

"I'm handling it pretty well. I'm pretty much done with the whole college scene and ready to get out in the real world and make some money. The tired, drunk, broke college student is a tad old," said Dan Reda, senior, Huntington, N.Y.

"The only thing that I am struggling with is classes that had I put off until now because I needed to pass all of them in order to graduate. I am taking 18 credits and that causes some pressure, but it's not too overwhelming," said Reda.

"My advice to future students would be to take as many credits as possible in your freshman, sophomore, and junior years so that your senior year is freed up for all the events that go along with being a senior," said Reda.

As for Sapanaro and Wagner, they both agree on getting schoolwork done early so that students can enjoy college. These four years fly by and its important make some lasting memories.

"Take advantage of college, it's a great time and I am going to miss it," said Scott Wagner, senior, Franklin, Mass.

The final synopsis is to work hard early on, keep yourself on track, join clubs that are interesting to you, experience new things and make sure to gain the most out of your college experience.

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