I’m a senior this year (pause to accept your applause) and I’ve come to realize, with signing the lease to my apartment complex I lived in since freshman year, that life comes full circle.
The realization of The Lion King’s Circle of Life. You’re so wise, Rafiki, and … entire African savanna.
My roommates have changed, but it’s still a creepy walk back to the side door. It still smells like smokable grass.
The full circle feelings really hit me this week after my two tests and a s— ton of work. I sat on the leather couch inside of my apartment eating a slice of pie, missing my family and friends from home. I then remembered little old me, sitting on my floral couch across the hall freshman year, missing my family and friends from home.
So I’m transforming into Rafiki right now. I just hit you with my tri-testicle cane. And you’re transforming into Simba. Stop touching yourself. Your cub-ly and cuddly, but it’s weird.
Here it is, every feeling you felt starting college that you’re most likely feeling now. Grab some ice cream and a snuggie:
1. I need to workout
You’re going to the enter the professional world in less than a year, your diet has been lacking as you fill nutritional voids with spoonfuls of peanut butter and Chipotle, you attempted to run after a friend yesterday and wheezed, and you’ve just realized that you need to fit into a costume this Halloween.
The “I’m going to get in shape for college” thought has entered your mind once again.
2. I have no real aspirations
Remember sitting in your dorm thinking to yourself, “What … is my major going to be?” Now you sit in your apartment thinking, “What is my … career going to be?”
And that thought, is 7 million times scarier.
3. I hate awkward conversation starters
Trying to make conversation with new friends freshman year is like trying to make conversation with people you don’t care about being friends with now.
So uh … what’s your major?” *CRINGE*
4. I love home
You’re going home frequently on weekends again. You don’t know why. You have friends now. It’s your senior year, you should be hitting the town. But something about hugging your parent and eating a home-cooked meal, is just so, beautiful.
5 . I still have no clue what to do on the weekend
The ever-looming “What are we going to do this weekend?” question gets even harder. It’s not about which “frat” you’re going to go to or which Narnia house party you’ve heard about through the halls, now the question is “Which bar in this college town do I hate less?”
6. I drink alone, but now I’ve accepted it
This feeling. You know it all too well. The only difference is, now you’re ok with it.
7. I don’t date
You came into college thinking f— b——/boytches, get money.
But most likely you’ve probably dated, had long-lasting hookups, short-lived hookups or been involved with someone. You’re over dating again. Until you get out of college, that is.
8. I have no clue what I’m doing
You asked yourself when you left high school, and now you’re doing it again. Yet another phase. It’s normal, so don’t freak out.
You’re a damn prodigy though. Go do big things. Push your evil uncle off a cliff into a pack of hyenas, make friends with a meerkat and marry your childhood best friend.
Or.
Graduate, live at home for a year until you have enough money to move somewhere. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life.
