Happy end of the year! This is the last article of my column, and boy, has this been an experience. To be honest, most of my ideas for this column came on Sunday afternoons, hours before my drafts were due, but what can I say? It’s hard to write articles loosely on the same topic each week. This column has taught me to think outside of the box and really look around myself when coming up with biweekly topics. But now, as we approach the end of the year, I want to discuss the impending end of the year and all of the red flags associated with it.
Incessantly checking LinkedIn to see who got what internships is low-key, and it’s a red flag for yourself. At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter that much, your plans are set for the summer. Whether you got your dream internship or nothing at all, it’s going to be okay. The job market is rough right now, and landing an internship in some fields is more luck than anything. Give yourself some grace and stop doom-scrolling on LinkedIn, I guarantee your life is not going to be determined by the summer of 2024.
When it comes to finals, being too hard on yourself is a red flag. We are all out here trying to survive, and employers are not going to overanalyze your GPA. If you get a B or a C in a few classes, it’s not the end of the world. Stevens is a very rigorous college, and employers know that. It really isn’t worth your mental health to continuously ruminate on why you didn’t get an A in a class or if you could have performed better on a final.
It’s time to go outside, like really go touch some grass. It is a red flag to stay inside on sunny, warm days because you are depriving yourself of lovely dopamine that will make you happy. We have a lovely green campus here at Stevens, so it only makes sense to use it. Grab a picnic blanket and some homework and sprawl out on the lawn. Make studying fun by bathing in the sunshine. Heck, even bring a sweet treat with you, like a baked good or a coffee as some studying motivation. If you are going to have your nose in a book, it might as well be outside.
When finals are actually over and whatever plans you have commenced, it’s a red flag to get too caught up in whatever job you may have. Even if you have a super cool internship for the summer, it’s important to remember that you only get so many summers in college. So, hang out with friends after work or go on adventures; if you get time off, you should take it. You are only young once, and especially if you are staying in the area, summer in the city has so much to offer. From free performances in Central Park to the multitudes of festivals, do not let yourself miss out on life for a corporate job.
With all that said, the main trend is to be kind to yourself. Sometimes, we can be our own red flags and bring ourselves down, so remember to lift yourself up. It has been a pleasure writing this column for the past year, and thank you for reading it. Happy almost summertime!
