By the time spring semester rolls around, Kent State seniors are dealing with far more than just exams. Between capstone projects, graduate school applications and the never-ending job searches, those last months of college can be some of the most draining and demanding.
“Every day felt like a new struggle appeared, and I was getting pulled in three different ways,” said Kent State alum Riley Wolfe. “I’d finish one assignment and immediately have to switch gears to work on my final project or fill out another job application. Some weeks, I’d worry about getting it all done.”
Her experience is not unique. Senior year tends to put academic deadlines and major life decisions all into the same few months, which also happen to be the most crucial months.
A study published in “The Journal of First-Year Experience & Students in Transition” found that college seniors are most often stressed about careers and finances. Researchers surveyed 320 students and discovered that stress levels remained consistently high, with coping mechanisms split between emotion-focused and problem-focused strategies.
Kent State’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has noticed a similar trend. Seniors often complain about burnout, fatigue, lack of motivation and growing anxiety about the near future.
“A lot of seniors don’t recognize just how much the future is weighing on them until it all hits at once,” said recent Kent State graduate Alyssa Kosovan. “You’re not just finishing your hardest classes but also preparing for the next step, which doubles the stress.”
Internships add another layer of pressure. Many programs require them to graduate, creating anxiety for students unsure of where to begin.
“Even with support, the process can be overwhelming during an already stressful year,” said senior advisor Alex Silverio. “Some departments have internship prep courses to help students plan ahead, but even then, the process can feel daunting.”
CAPS pushes students to build balance into their schedules through daily exercise, mindfulness and planned downtime.
“I started walking from class to class just to breathe,” Kosovan said. “It seems small, but it helped me clear my mind, especially before a big test.”
Silverio said many seniors find relief once they realize their final courses connect directly to their future goals.
“Even though the workload is heavy, students often say their classes finally feel worthwhile,” she said.
Advisors emphasize that graduation doesn’t require students to have every detail of their future planned out. For many Kent State seniors, the final semester may be stressful, but it also marks the beginning of what comes next.
Sydney Eckert is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].