Parting advice from the Editorial Board as you start the next chapter in your life

If the hot and sunny weather on campus is any indication, summer is just about here.

With the changing seasons comes the inevitable march toward graduation for seniors and the stressful end of the semester for all students.

Before we say farewell from the newsroom for the semester, we’ve got a few parting words for all students — regardless of whether you’re saying goodbye for good or just a few months.

First-years, sophomores and juniors — it’s another semester down. Some of you are heading home, some are staying and working on campus and others are getting ready for vacations (we’re jealous).

No matter your plans, we hope you value your downtime. Summer in college is often full of pressure and hitting the right balance between working hard and still enjoying the break can be difficult.

If you’re starting or returning to a job or internship, we hope you make the most of it, whether it’s in your desired future field or not.

Try to remember that your work- life balance is important. The habits and boundaries you set early in your career will follow you throughout your life, so do your best to take care of yourself.

While these new work experiences can be exciting and important (plus, making some extra cash for next year can’t hurt), you have your entire life to work. Maintaining your sanity can come in many forms, whether it’s spending time with hometown friends, holidays with family or nights in for some time for yourself. Find your self-care thing and make it a priority alongside all those resume-boosting adventures.

Hard work and relaxing both need to be done in moderation, and summer is also a great opportunity to re-align your priorities and get things done before starting another school year.

If too much time spent lazing around makes you crazy, fill the empty calendar space with things that will pay off later.

Find a new hobby, finish that project you’ve been meaning to do forever or apply for new scholarships and jobs. Your future self will thank you.

Overall, enjoy yourselves and come back in the fall ready for another greatyear. Good luck with the last few academic tasks and the inevitable chaos of move-out.

To the class of 2025 — congratulations. No matter how long you have been here at CSB+SJU, you will always be a Johnnie or a Bennie.

By graduating from these institutions, you have entered an international network of alumni that love to support each other, so do not forget to leverage these connections as you look for or start a new job this summer or next year.

We know these last two weeks can be incredibly stressful. Final presentations, papers, projects and exams get crammed into a small timespan and can make it hard to feel like you are able to put your full effort into any one obligation.

Despite this, it is important to remember that school isn’t everything. Yes, it is important to finish strong, and you shouldn’t severely procrastinate just because you’re graduating, but remember to have fun too.

The last moments on campus with your friends are special, and there is no better time to make your last couple of great Collegeville and St. Joseph memories. Days like these are the stories that you will tell your grandchildren, so make the stories exciting.

As you move into your future career or graduate school, try to keep this same spirit alive. Everyone always says when you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life, and part of that is enjoying your time out of work or school as well.

You get vacation time for a reason, so make use of it. Enjoy your weekends and make the most of every moment. It is important to have time to relax, and if you’re working all weekend, it can be hard to find that time and avoid burnout.

Graduating college can be a strange and sometimes lonely experience. Adult personal relationships take work to maintain once you no longer live next door to your friends.

Whether you’re staying local in Minnesota or relocating around the world, keep your CSB+SJU community thriving any way you can. Call your friends regularly, set up mini reunions and enjoy your new alum status. Your presence on campus will be greatly missed.

To all Bennies and Johnnies, you have a lot of life left in front of you, so make the most of it. In the grand scheme of things, college fills around 5% of your life.

Savor these good memories but know that the “best years of your life” aren’t limited to your time here.

Whether you’re finishing your first year at CSB+SJU or closing this chapter next week, the best is yet to come—be intentional in shaping your own future and it will be bright.