Fourth Year + Students
Student walking to class in fall weather.
The fourth-year is a time of completion, reflection, and transition. In addition to wrapping up coursework, many students are also completing internships and looking into graduate school or a full-time job. While balancing their future plans, current coursework, last opportunities, and festivities, students also spend time reflecting on their college careers. They may be attending more university and community events upon realizing this is their last chance.
As the year’s end approaches, students prepare for a major transition; in a short time, they will be saying goodbye to familiar faces and the environment they’ve lived in for four years. At this point, parents and guardians can provide important emotional and practical support.
Senior students might also battle occasional lapses of motivation, commonly known as “senioritis.” Many students will be excited to celebrate the ending of their college career, but students without firm post-graduation plans might feel directionless or worried about their next steps. Make sure you remind them to apply for graduation at the Registrar’s Office!
As your student searches for a job or graduate school opportunities, encourage both proactivity and patience. Remind them of the many resources available at Shepherd to aid with their post-graduation plans. This is a time where you may need to teach your students about full independence after graduation. If they haven’t already learned, teach them about bill paying and other processes, and if applicable, discuss student loan repayment.
Finally, attend Commencement and celebrate your student’s achievements!
Flowers outside of Stutzman-Slonaker Hall.
Career Plan
- Meet with Career Services to strategize upcoming job searches.
- Attend career events to strengthen job search skills such as resume writing, interviewing, networking, and present your qualifications.
- Contact Career Services for critiquing of resumes and cover letters to support job search activities.
- Prepare for employment by thoroughly researching prospective employers.
- Continue to network and conduct informational interviews with employers for interest.
- Make sure any virtual employment like LinkedIn is set up and any connections that can be made from Shepherd are made!
- For potential graduate students: Have your personal statement critiqued for graduate or professional school applications
Students attending the most recent graduation ceremony.
Keys to Success
Finalization, reflection, and transition are the cornerstones of success for senior year. Help your student to engage in creating their own senior experience during their final year at Shepherd with these helpful tips! This is a great list to open up a dialogue with your student about the possibilities at Shepherd and beyond!
Finalization
- Apply for graduation!! Hand in your application to the Registrar’s Office in Ikenberry Hall.
- Focus on finishing your capstone project.
- Prepare for commencement and individual school/program graduation ceremonies.
Reflection
- Touch base with the Shepherd University Alumni Association and find out ways to get involved and stay connected with Shepherd after graduation.
- Attend all your favorite Shepherd activities, such as Paint Night, Movie Night, Open Mic Night, and more! Find out the times and dates on RamPulse!
Transition
- Take and retake graduate school entrance exams, such as the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, or LSATs.
- Visit Counseling Services for assistance with graduation transition or job search anxiety.
- Continue to visit Career Services.
- Attend CareerFest, practice through mock interviews, and continue to network and keep open lines of communications with potential employers.
- Continue to meet with your Academic Advisor for advice and guidance.
- If you borrowed a federal student loan, complete student loan exit counseling with Financial Aid.
“Make sure to live in the moment during these final times at Shepherd. You’ll have these memories for the rest of your life so make the best time of it all!”