Attending your department’s senior send-off (with free food).
ATTENDING YOUR DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR SEND-OFF (WITH FREE FOOD)
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Remember that distinct hum in the air as senior year wound down? After four years of intense intellectual pursuits, late-night library sessions, and primal screams during finals, the departmental send-off offered a moment of quiet reflection, often fueled by surprisingly decent food. It wasn't the most talked-about tradition, perhaps less dramatic than some other traditions, but it held a unique significance.
This was where you saw your demanding professors in a relaxed setting, sharing a casual word or a smile. It was a chance to connect with classmates you’d battled alongside in seminars and labs, realizing this was one of your last informal gatherings before commencement. The conversations weren’t about exams or thesis deadlines anymore, but reflections on the journey, plans for the future, and a quiet sense of accomplishment.
There was a bittersweet quality to it – the relief of the finish line mixed with the subtle pang of leaving a formative chapter behind. Whether you cherished every tradition or found some perplexing, the senior send-off often felt just right. It was a simple, grounding ritual, a collective exhale before stepping out into the wider world. For current students, soak it in. For alumni, what memory from your send-off lingers most?