By Abby Hargreaves ’14

1: You’re getting invited to things—and going.

With senior week approaching, seniors are receiving lots of invitations to events, parties, and farewells. Even our beloved hermit seniors are coming out for these final moments together, just so they can experience the wonder that is the Hollins sisterhood one last time.

2: You’re emotionally volatile. 

Seniors are coming into a lot of stress. Not only do they have regular classwork to complete, but many are also polishing their theses, preparing for graduation (which means picking out an outfit, getting your senior robe, finding all your honor cords, and mailing out graduation announcements), looking for a job or preparing for graduate school, maintaining friendships and family relationships, and dealing with the looming gray cloud — though not without a silver lining — that is graduation. So, when you cry because Moody ran out of curly fries, don’t fret. It’s totally normal.

3: You’re stocking up on glitter.

There’s a saying that when you graduate from Hollins, you graduate with a minor in crafting. What kind of Hollins woman would you be if you didn’t have any glitter? You’ll probably be finding it in your pockets and bed sheets for months after you move off campus.

4: Everyone is asking you what your plans are for after graduation.

And, as much as you hate it, you find yourself asking your graduating sisters the same thing—because you care.

5: You’re breaking the bank.

On top of making sure you don’t have a balance to pay off before you graduate, there’s the graduation fee, the robe, the cap, the tassel, the hood, the honor cords, the graduation announcements, maybe a new outfit, and moving costs. But hey, at least you don’t have to worry about the tuition increase next year!

6: You find yourself realizing every time you hit a “last.”

The other day, I went on my last service trip as an RA. Sitting in the car on the way back to campus, a funny feeling fell over me as I realized that it was the last time I’d be participating in community service with housing and residence life. You’ve probably experienced similar things, even throughout the year. We signed up for classes for the last time in November, our last winter break was in December, and our last Spring Cotillion is coming up.

7: You’re lining up thank yous and goodbyes.

There are a lot of amazing faculty and staff on this campus who have impacted our lives for the better. It’s important to stop by and thank the ones who have had big roles in your time at Hollins. Not only will they appreciate it, but it will help you find closure.

8: You’re suffering from senioritis.

It’s a popular diagnosis this time of year. The inability to accomplish anything is stifling and it may be affecting your grades. While you shouldn’t stress too much over getting an A, you’re still a student. Break things down into smaller tasks to help you stay focused and on top of your work. Reward yourself with breaks—write one page and you can have 20 minutes on Tumblr. But set a timer!

9: You’re doubting your career path.

Yeah, you’ve wanted to be a vet since you were five, but now that you’re approaching the real thing, doesn’t just playing games on your phone sound like a better way to make a living? Then again, you’ve always wanted to be a professional ice cream taster…

10: You’re glad to leave campus, if only to be able to cook for yourself again.

We love the dining hall staff, but sometimes the food just doesn’t cut it. Soon, you’ll be able to cook what you want when you want, and oh, what a beautiful day it will be.

11: You’re worried about losing touch with friends.

Sure, there’s Facebook and Twitter, but does liking your best friend’s status really count as communicating?

12: If your laptop hasn’t already died, it’s on its way.

Most people start experiencing computer problems in the spring semester of their senior year. If yours hasn’t croaked already, you’re lucky. One student suffered with keys falling off her keyboard for her senior year.

13: The clock looks like it’s ticking faster.

Is it just me, or is that clock a little fast?

 14: As scared as you are, you feel Hollins has prepared you well for the world.

And it has. You can do this. You are ready.

After graduation, Abigail “Abby” Hargreaves moved to Washington, D.C. She has been working as a library technician at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation while earning a master’s degree in library and information science through San Jose State University’s online program.

This essay originally appeared on HerCampus.com on April 16, 2014, and is used with permission.