When you’re a senior, every conversation somehow turns into college talk, especially at big group hangouts. Recently, I was at a friend’s birthday party and someone asked the inevitable question: “So, how are college apps going?”
Immediately, every single senior at the party threw their hands up in the air and started talking all at once.
For the next hour or two, college essays, majors, deadlines, and dreams were all we talked about, and honestly, it probably sounded like the world’s most boring conversation to non-seniors listening in. But to me, it felt oddly comforting. In fact, it might’ve been one of the most helpful conversations I think I’ve had all year.
I think this weird feeling stems from the fact that the college application process can be truly isolating. Even if your friends are applying too, your college lists might be completely different, your essays might look nothing alike, and your intended majors may be polar opposites. So, when you do finally find someone in a similar position to your own, it’s like finding a security blanket. You can count on them to listen to you rant, to answer questions, and to truly understand it.
This entire interaction reminds me of a TikTok I saw recently, where a girl discussed how, toward the end of senior year, people start acting differently, in a positive way. Many seniors start talking to everyone, learning new names, striking up conversations, and forming new friendships, even if it may seem pointless, because in a few months, everyone will scatter in different directions. However, seniors still cling to each other. It’s almost as if there’s a collective (yet unspoken) understanding that everything is coming to an end.
Honestly, this idea is one of the sweetest things I’ve seen happen throughout senior year. For instance, I’ve spoken to more classmates this year than ever before, including people I probably wouldn’t have even approached a year ago.
And “college talk” has become the thing holding all of us seniors together because every time someone asks, “How are college apps going?” the answer is never short. It’s always a long-winded story about how stressed and exhausted they are, or just how many essays they’ve written so far. But honestly, I love the long explanations because, deep down, it shows that most seniors just want someone to listen, empathize with their situation, and remind them that we aren’t alone, even though it may seem like they are.
Before I Lea-ve,
Talk, listen, and keep hanging on.
