Disclaimer: Anything written in this blog represents the opinions of the author, and no one else. Each blog is written lightly, and is not intended to offend any of the mentioned businesses, locations, students, or staff.

Bjorn Hanson, a senior studying Management and International Business, writes below about his answer to the question “What does it mean to be a senior at UMass Lowell?” Bjorn is shown in the picture above hiking Mount Lafayette in the White Mountains.

Being a senior here at UMass Lowell can mean and feel many things. The most apparent is the pressure to do well when senioritis is running rampant among you and your peers. All seniors are ready to fly the coup they call UML and it can get crazy.

Alongside the feeling of schoolwork taking a back seat, there is one important question in the forefront of every student’s mind: What am I going to do next year? This scary question haunts the dreams of all seniors across the world. Fortunately, the students at UML can rest a bit more peacefully knowing their school has prepared them well. Even so, the stress of the unknown can be intimidating. The pressure to find a job only increases with additional pressures from parents, teachers, significant others, etc.

Seniors are expected to accomplish things, with the distractions and pressures of life constantly trying to get in the way. This is the last, and most difficult, “preparation” that the school gives its students. It’s like a final yearlong test to prepare students for the bombardments of life outside of the safe walls of UML.

But don’t worry underclassman! Just because seniors are asked to work hard to get themselves to the next level, doesn’t mean that they don’t have any fun. There is still plenty of fun to go along with the pressures of senior year. After all, who doesn’t find excitement in entering the work world?

Don’t quit. The end result is worth the effort.