I’ve reached that phase in every senior’s last year of college where a combination of heart wrenching nostalgia, incredible enthusiasm for the future, and moderate indifference for the present has manifested into a massive case of senioritis. Because of the unseasonable weather today I opted against the T and walked to Sanctuary. As I walked down these now familiar streets, I just couldn’t help smiling. I thought about the antics of freshmen year; the challenges of moving to a new city and starting a new life here. I thought about my first few challenging weeks with the young women I’ve chosen to live with the past three years. I thought about late night study sessions and hockey games; huge mistakes and life changing opportunities. I saw on TV once that this nostalgia that comes on right as your getting ready to leave a place is called “Graduation Goggles.” Like “beer goggles” the idea is that the past experience looks rosy and amazing just as it’s ending. But, I don’t think this is goggles I think it’s gratitude. I’m so grateful for Boston University.
But after a few minutes of memories and reflection I started picturing my next steps. As I said my senioritis is a delightful combination of memories and dreams. I’m so thrilled for my next step at seminary. Becoming a UU minister has been my dream since I was 15. As soon as I understood the process, I’ve been dreaming of seminary. When I applied to college I remember being annoyed that I had to do four (well in my case three) years of undergrad before going to seminary. Now I know how drastically not ready yet I was, and how excited I am now to start seminary after such a formative undergrad experience. I’m buzzing with anticipation about this next step forward on my journey.
The last item that’s contributing to my senioritis though, is indifference toward the present. I’ve finished applications, so basically I’m in a waiting period until seminary starts. But I also have a ton of classwork and church commitments to do before I graduate and start grad school. I guess my prayer for myself and for my class this year, is to live out these last 100 days until graduation with intention. We are down to the wire, and college will be over before we know it. Let us remember to find moments each day to be grateful for what is at hand. Let us do this work that we have in front of us diligently. And let us squeeze in as many late night adventures, city explorations, and belly laughs with roommates, as we possibly can.