How to get through your last year of post-secondary

Advice to help you thrive in your senior year!

With a blink of an eye, boom, here you are in your last year of post-secondary. Only one year separates you from the “real” world. As you strive to get those last crucial grades toward your GPA, it’s essential to implement strategies to help you navigate through this last but most important year successfully.

There are many factors at play here. You may still be looking for a full-time job, deciding on a school for your master’s or just working on getting your thesis done. It’s a lengthy to-do list, indeed, but don’t worry – you’ve got this.

Staying motivated and preparing yourself mentally are vital for your senior year. So, what steps can you take to make it through? Let’s dive into some key advice that will help you tackle your final year of post-secondary education.

Don’t waste time

A person writing on a piece of paper. — *Picture by Unseen Studio via Unsplash.*

I don’t think there’s anything more important than this first tip. In your senior year, the clock ticks fast, and time can be your greatest asset or your greatest enemy. The last thing you want to do is waste it.

While you can’t add extra time at the end of the school year, you can maximize it at the beginning. If you procrastinate and leave work for the last minute, assignments, essays, thesis and capstone projects will quickly snowball.

The earlier you start working on your assignments, doing your readings and reviewing previous topics, the better. Right after registering for your classes, reach out to your professors and start planning for the year. Simple steps like having a look at the critical path a couple of weeks before classes start can give you a significant head start in the race against time. In addition, if you’re still looking for a full-time job, don’t wait until the winter semester. Start networking and applying for jobs now.

Soak up on-campus resources and student life

A group of students laughing and looking at a laptop. — *Picture by Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash.*

Listen, let’s face it, you’re still a student for one more year, so live like one! Engage with the campus community by joining a club and take advantage of your student-union resources like the Soupbar, Tax Clinic, Zen Zone and Sleep Lounge.

Utilize on-campus resources to support your future career and endeavours. Book an appointment with a career advisor at the Humber Advising & Career Services. They can assist you with your academic-related challenges and offer support to help you achieve successful employment.

Additionally, don’t hold back from socializing and having some fun. Spend as much time as you can on campus with your peers and, of course, a night out every now and then is always allowed. It’s a bittersweet truth, but the people that you’ve seen daily for the past four years may not be part of your everyday life again. Make the most of your last year with your classmates.

Get your job application documents ready

A close-up view of a person reviewing the resume of an applicant during a job interview. — *Picture by Resume Genius via Unsplash.*

Like I said before, don’t wait until the last minute to start your job search. You’ll find yourself applying for positions sooner than you expect. So, put together crucial documents for your applications.

Polish your resume and cover letter based on your experiences and the job you’re applying to, update and stay active on LinkedIn and work on gathering strong references. Suppose you’re applying for a creative position. In that case, your portfolio will be more important than your resume, so gather work samples and put together a compelling portfolio.

Having those documents ready during your final year of post-secondary can give you an edge over other candidates. If you need someone to have a look at them, book an appointment with Humber Career Advancement Service. They can assist with career coaching and review your resume and cover letter.

Make time for self-care

A white sign that reads “You are worthy of love.” — *Picture by Tim Mossholder via Unsplash.*

Studying, working, assignments and group projects can be overwhelming and lead to burnout. Prioritize your mental health and well-being, as maintaining a good state of mind can help you be more productive and less stressed.

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can be pivotal to making your last year of post-secondary education effective. Don’t rely on energy drinks and coffee; getting enough sleep – between seven to nine hours – is a necessity. If you enjoy sports, continue your activities and set fitness goals. Make use of the free on-campus gyms available at both the Lakeshore and North campuses. Remember, eating healthy is also key to good academic performance.

Humber Health & Counselling provides free counselling services led by professional clinicians to support your well-being and mental health. Additionally, Good2Talk is a confidential helpline for post-secondary students in Ontario, available 24/7/365. Call 1-866-925-5454 for help.

Brendan Hamel-Smith, a graduate of the 2024 digital communications program, says his biggest advice is to know your bandwidth and learn to prioritize tasks while ensuring you’re making time for yourself.

“When I was in my final year, I had to remind myself to take time for myself,” Hamel-Smith said. “That didn’t mean going out constantly, but sometimes, just taking that extra hour of sleep or watching that one show. You need to give yourself time to escape to your safe space.”

Never compare yourself to others

A woman biting a pencil while sitting on a chair in front of a computer. — *Picture by JESHOOTS.COM via Unsplash.*

Let me state something here: NEVER compare yourself to your peers. Everybody works differently, has a unique life and manages a varying amount of workload.

Comparison isn’t an accurate method to measure your success. Some of your peers may be working harder than they admit, while others may be doing less than they claim. Everyone has a different pace and routine, so set goals that are meaningful to you rather than comparing yourself to others.

Comparing yourself can lead to negative effects like depression and can make you overlook your qualities. Instead of using someone else’s progress as a benchmark, identify your own strengths and weaknesses, set personal goals and focus on your journey to successfully navigate your senior year of post-secondary education.

IGNITE student advocate, Jessica Carrera, is a hotel and restaurant operations management and culinary management programs graduate. She highlights the importance of networking and stepping out of your comfort zone.

“It’s OK to say ‘no’ without feeling like a failure or that you’re letting others down,” Carrera said. “Take care of yourself and avoid becoming overwhelmed.”

A woman wearing a graduation regalia and holding a black sign that reads “senior.” — *Picture by Juan Ramos via Unsplash.*

These are some tips for academic success, extracurricular involvement and job preparation to help you make the most of your final year of post-secondary. While being a senior signifies experience and knowledge, remember that this year will be both challenging and crucial. Take these tips to heart – and to the classroom – as you prepare for your last year.

Feature image courtesy of Albert Vincent Wu via Unsplash.

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