As I reflect on my last four years of college in the short 2 weeks that I have left here I started to think about how much has changed over the past four years. When I graduated high school in 2015 I had no idea what to expect when I entered college.

My first few days of college seem to fly by so fast until there were some days that felt like they would never end. Those long days turned to slow weeks that then turned into fast months to then a quick years. And before I knew it I didn’t know where all the time had gone.

I wouldn’t take back any of the decisions and choices I’ve made in college because they helped me start to understand myself apart from my family and everything I had become so familiar with over the past 18 years before entering college.

Now fours years have past and at the age of 22 I feel like I’ve made a full circle. Packing up my life in boxes and bags, saying goodbye to old friends,  and leaving a place I’ve become so familiar with.

It might seem scary at times but I’m feeling the same anxiousness and excitedness I felt four years ago when I had no idea how my life was going to change.

For those of you who are graduating I am sure you might feel the same and for those who are just beginning… make the most of your time here in college because you will never truly be this young again.

Seniors have about a month left until they walk across the stage at graduation! Here are some ideas to start planning and buying the perfect gift for your favorite graduate. From the more basic gifts to super customizable ones, these will impress any graduate and help them look, feel, and be their best self to start off their journey in the real world!

Alumni Gear –After putting in all the hard work and dedication to graduate, it’s time to rock that nice alumni sweatshirt, hat, or other apparel item.

Adult things –Apartment decor and accessories, electronics, random kitchen gadgets or appliances, and things that college students never really needed before make great graduation gifts. 

Money –Money is always a safe bet when it comes to gift giving because they can do anything they want with it. 

Nice Watch – Nothing screams adult, more than a nice watch. It also makes for a great accessory in the office and will spruce up any interview outfit.

Professional Clothes –By the time graduation rolls around, most college students are in desperate need of professional attire. Gifts cards to stores that sell great options for office outfits are great for those gift-givers who don’t know a graduates size or style well.

A gift card or membership for something they like to do –Find something that the graduate in your life loves to do and treat them to a gift card or membership that relates to their favorite hobbies. Think of things like yoga or a culinary classes.

It’s OK to feel stuck during your senior year and I promise you are not the only one.

It’s happened to all of us. We’re having a great time our last year in college; meeting new people, making our last college memories, traveling all over the world, until the dreadful realization occurs. I have no idea what I’m going to do after graduation.

Well… okay I have somewhat of an idea of what I would ideally like to do, but realistically, I have nothing lined up. With monthly freakouts last semester to now weekly moments of panic I try to remind myself… it’s okay to feel a little lost right now!

Sure it might seem like “everyone” you know has their life together and have everything lined up and ready after graduation, but the truth is, a lot of people don’t. Just because someone has that one job lined up doesn’t mean it’s going to be something they stick with or something they even end up enjoying. Just because you don’t have something lined up, doesn’t mean you won’t find what you’re looking for.

Yes, it’s absolutely important and necessary to plan for your future and apply early to positions you’re interested in, but it shouldn’t consume your thoughts constantly. Everything will work out in the end. As long as you’re doing your best and putting the work in, you will find something that works for you, even if it’s not right away.

The best thing you can do senior year is to take a deep breath, continue to do everything you can to reach your goals, and enjoy this last year of college before graduation!

Hi everyone! I am Kendall Padovani. I am a second semester senior where I am currently studying Public Relations. I am very excited take part in my last undergraduate internship as a social media intern for the Communications and Marketing Department here at SUNY Oswego.

I began my journey at SUNY Oswego Fall 2015 already having declared my major as Public Relations. I had been pretty set on declaring this a major since I was a sophomore in high school even though I had no prior knowledge of what it really consisted of. After my first year I declared my minor as human development because I wanted to learn more about the development of humans and how this affects their judgement and decision making. I thought it would complement my major in understanding more about the public. My second semester freshman year I became a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma which is a National Sorority here on campus. Being a member of this amazing organization has introduced me to several leadership opportunities and where I served on my organizations executive board as their Member Recruitment Chair. My first semester junior year I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in London. Here I took part in a semester long internship at a boutique PR agency in Kensington. During this time I also traveled to ten other countries expanding my horizons and love for traveling.

During my last semester here at Oswego I was elected to the role of VP of Programming for our National Panhellenic Council which oversees all four national sororities. So far this position has given me so many opportunities and strengthened my relations within the Greek community. As college graduation is quickly approaching and I am determined to capitalize on the rest of the time I have left here while bracing through my last Oswego winter.