You see, I have a plan. I’m going to take my last two required college classes and then take on an internship for college credit so I don’t have to take a full course load can gain some real life experience without jumping into real life at full force.  But as I sit here and consider my potential schedule for next semester I start to realize, once again, just how final all of this is.

If everything goes according to plan (then again, nothing ever goes according to plan) I’ll only be in class two days per week next semester, six hours each day. Plus work, and the occasional club meeting/party/annual-event-I-swore-I’d never-attend-again-last-year. College life will still take up a decent chunk of my time, but not nearly as much time as it takes up right now. And it will be a complete turnaround from this semester, a semester that feels a whole lot like someone is playing a game of let’s see how long we can keep Jenn away from her bed before she collapses. So yeah, it will be different.

Less time on campus, means less time to be involved on campus. And as my college life gets closer to ending, my college life gets closer to ending. The school paper has already starting training editorial assistants to replace us, something I have a hard time grasping. We’re training people to replace us when I still feel like I need to be trained! And continuing with that theme, that campus job I had since I was a freshman? I’ve started training my replacement there as well.  And as I yammered on incessantly about the exact font size and label color that should be used on each folder, I started to realize exactly how not ready I am to hand over my color coded filing cabinet to someone else. (And, no, I don’t think it’s just because I’m a control freak, either.)

Adding to the already growing anxiety, my honors society has begun the process of inducting new members into our organization. (It’s a tiring process that involves booking rooms and ordering pins and making me want to pull my hair out of my head…) How is that possible? I feel like just yesterday, I was the one being inducted, and now I’m the one reminding everyone that they should be wearing business casual attire. Business casual attire? I own more jeans that any one person ever has the right to own. I have no business talking about business casual attire! (And don’t even get me started on how I’m going to have to wear it in 6 months….)

Every time I tutor someone in an introductory level class, every time I listen to a group of freshman discussing how long it’s been since they showered, (I kid you not!), every time I realize that guy I’ve been ogling has yet to turn 18, I am reminded once again that I’m closer to the end than I am to the beginning.

And just as I’m starting to come to terms with all of this craziness, I’m going to have to start letting some of it go -pull back from campus involvement, and step away from the color coded labels. For the first time in my college career I will (hopefully!) only be taking two courses. That means less time writing papers, less time pretending to write papers, and more time being a real person, or at least pretending to be real person.  But I think it’s a good thing that I won’t be on campus as much next semester. It will ease the transition process, pick and pull at the Band-aid instead of ripping it off all at once.

It will give those trainees a chance to take the lead, but I’ll still be close enough to remind them that we file things alphabetically by last name, not by first.

Click here to follow Jenn’s other ups and downs of senior year.

Going to college is so much more than hauling your butt out of bed before noon on a Friday to sit in the back of a lecture hall and attempt the daily Sudoku. In order to even be considered for a job in this economy, students are expected to pull great grades, take on multiple leadership roles on campus and still manage to avoid going completely broke (not to mention swing awesome summer internships).

Whew. Just thinking about it makes me sweat.
And then thinking of all those craptastic jobs out there makes me ill. I don’t want to waste my precious free time flipping burgers or folding clothes at The Gap.

If you’re looking to inch ahead of your classmates and line your pockets with a little beer money, we’ve got your back. Below is our guide to the best on-campus jobs. Whether they pay big bucks, offer flexible hours that don’t conflict with your social life, or give you plenty of free time to do your homework, these are the gigs worth fighting (and giving up your afternoons) for.

Res Life Security / Mail Desk Clerk:
These are great jobs for any budding social butterfly. Your friends can stop by to say hello, keep you company as you sign guests in an out of the dorms and even bring you a delicious cheesy calzone from downtown (these are the best kinds of friends, in my opinion). Even better, if you work the mail desk, you know exactly who is receiving the best care packages from Mom or Grandma… and you know where they live. Both are great jobs because you are constantly interacting with new people… and scoping out the adorable male specimens living in your dorm!

Tutoring: English major? Consider editing papers for a few bucks. Or helping someone reword cover letters and resumes. Are you a closeted calculus connoisseur? Pimp your skills out on the bulletin boards in your dorm hallways. You can make your own schedule, set your own prices and improve your own grades. (It’s proven that teaching someone class material increases your own knowledge of the subject. Sweet!)

Desk Job at the Library, Campus Museum, or in the Computer Labs: What do all of these jobs have in common? Incredible amounts of down-time. If you can snag one of these jobs, you will be envied by ALL of your friends. Basically you are getting paid to do your homework. Bring your textbook and your laptop (if allowed, obviously) and get cracking on your studies!

Bartender/Cocktail Waitress: You may have to sacrifice a few nights out with your friends, but you will make TONS of money. And, let’s be honest, most of your friends will opt to spend their evenings at your “office” in hopes of scoring some free shots. You will be the gatekeeper of the Long Island Ice Teas, the Redbull and Vodkas, the Dollar Pitchers. Talk about holding a lot of power. There are plenty of bars willing to train their own staff, but you can use any breaks to get certified and perfect your craft. (And with two or three weeks left of summer, you’ve got plenty of time to sign up for a bartending class!)

Concert Venue / Sports Staff: Didn’t get football tickets this season? Blasphemy, I know. You don’t have to completely miss out on kick-off, half-time and the atmosphere of a college football Saturday. Work the concessions stand during a game or sign up to be an usher. You may miss tailgating and the pay probably isn’t great, but you won’t develop a severe case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). And on the same note, if you can’t afford to pay to see whatever band is swinging into your college town this fall, work during the concert. The amount of work you have to do is a bare minimum and you get to see the show for free. Cha-ching!

We’ve all been subjected to them, but which of the most widely known Freshman Year stereotypes are false?

#1 The Freshman Fifteen- This is the alligators-in-the-sewers equivalent of college urban legends. Paranoia runs wild in freshman dorms in front of the mirrors, as we wonder if That Dessert just contributed to the infamous Fifteen. The truth is, if you don’t stuff your face at the all-you-can-eat cafeteria, and make some effort at aerobic activity, it’s not going to happen to you. With the stress of being in a completely new situation, I actually lost weight, and went through a phase where I couldn’t eat. With a trip to the gym a couple times a week, or simply knowing when to push back from the table, you’ll be absolutely safe from the mythical menace. The Freshman Fifteen, like most urban legends, is what you make it.

#2 You’ll be broke and living on Ramen Noodles- Absolutely false. Most colleges have an amazing setup of places on campus where you can eat using your meal plan, no extra money necessary. While Ramen Noodles are absolutely tasty, eating them is absolutely your choice. If by chance you do end up wanting spare cash, your college should offer a variety of part-time jobs you can work, often in more than one place. Ironically, despite their price tag, colleges understand that college students want money, and there are continuous jobs available for students. Be careful, though:work too many hours, and your grades may suffer.

#3 The dorms are full of constant parties, and nobody gets any studying done- This varies from dorm to dorm, but generally in freshman dorms, this is false. Nobody’s legal age, yet, and most of us are finding out that college classes are a lot harder than high school classes. While there are wild moments (fire trucks consistently show up with sirens blazing at the all-male dorm next to mine), and wild people (like the person who keeps setting trashcan fires in the Business building), you tend to have to seek out parties, rather than evade them. In the event that you are in the party dorm, you still have two options: the library is open almost all night, or you can join in.

#4 You Shouldn’t Be In A Relationship Freshman Year- Obvi, this depends entirely on you and whether you want an exclusive relationship. Personally, I chose to date my first semester, and while it was the right choice for me, I handled it badly. There’s a lot of responsibility associated with having a boyfriend your first semester of college (not skipping class to sleep in with him, or going out every night with him and blowing off assigned reading), and it can be fun to play the field a bit as a single lady. In the end though, like college itself, it’s all on you and what you choose to do.

Want more college tips and experiences? Join the CollegeCandy Facebook group!

If you’re tired of asking Mamadukes and Pops for some cash (or if they just plain won’t give ya any), a part-time job is necessary. Some college jobs can be a total buzzkill (hello scrubbing dishes at the dining commons), but others turn out not too shabby. Here’s a few I suggest:

1. Library. Every campus has one and there are TONS of jobs that need filling. It’s convenient, generally in the heart of the campus, AND it beats working for the dining halls. I spent my four years of college working for the Special Collections and Archives Department where I made around $10/hr, which was more than any other on-campus position around. I could work in between classes and I wound up making one of the best friends I have at that job, not to mention some excellent recommendations when real-life job time comes around. Try it, peeps. Head to the Circulation Department of your Library (or the college job website – there is one, if you didn’t know!) and see what departments are hiring.

2. Restaurants/Bars in town. Every campus has a “downtown” or “uptown” – the happening place on a Friday or Saturday night. If you can’t afford to spend money on drinks, get a job where your friends go; you can make loot and enjoy their company. It’s the best of both worlds. Just pop in to your favorite night hot spots and pick up some applications!

3. College Admin Office. Whether it’s the Administrative Office, the Bursar Office or another department in the Academic and Billing section of your campus, you can find a job that is accommodating to your schedule and pays decently. A friend of mine worked at one of the offices in the billing building and for graduation her boss got her a white gold necklace. Score!

4. Entertainment. Is there a movie theater/arcade/golf course by your campus? I lived in an apartment complex my junior year and a neighbor of mine ran a mini-golf and driving range venue a few miles from campus. He’d go to class then head straight to “work,” which consisted of him hitting golf balls and hanging out with his friends for a decent hourly wage.

5. Starbucks. This place is great because they’re always hiring and they are always around college campuses. And you get free coffee.

6. Delivery. Pizza delivery people – while stuck in a car for a decent time – get invited to the best parties dropping off pies and get to take home whatever he/she wants. Plus, if you’re a female delivery person, think of all the drunk, horny male attention you can get dropping those pizzas off at 2am. Wink wink.

7. Skilled? Got a special skill people on campus could benefit from? Are you an excellent diver and could give lessons on how to master than double flip pike dive? Send out a campus wide email, post fliers up around campus or take an ad out in the school paper and charge for your talent!

8. Parlez-vous le français? Speak French (or Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Latin, etc, etc, etc)? Language requirements can be a royal biotch and lots of students need help. If you’re a pro at rolling your tongue in the French language, tutor! You can make serious BANK and help someone out!

9. RA. Being a Resident Advisor requires some work – weekly meetings, one night a week doing dorm duty and some serious floor socials – but it has its perks too. For one, you get your own room for FREE (!!!!), as well as a bi-weekly stipend. Not to mention, you get to bust all the freshman for drinking in the dorms and hand out free condoms late at night to intoxicated teens who you know will regret their decisions in the morning.

10. Retail. When in doubt, you can always turn to retail. Clothing stores around campus can be local, a way to get great outfits for your nights out at a discount and a good way to socialize with people of the area. Who knows? You could wind up an assistant manager in a year or two and make some decent dough while cracking those books.

So, time’s a wastin’. Go grab those apps and get to workin!

(photo courtesy of wikimedia.com)