During students' final months as undergraduates they finish required coursework, apply for graduation, and prepare for an unknown future. Whether they are aware of it or not, these students are moving in and through a time of personal transition. When students first arrive at college and again when they leave, changes occur in their lives. Most research conducted with college graduates focuses on the transition to the world of work. In the senior year, special emphasis needs to be placed on helping students to cope with impending change, become aware of how all the various aspects of their lives have contributed to their development as learners, and to find connections between their academic experience and future plans.
Seniors are our last chance.
There is a mounting body of evidence that while colleges are doing a very competent job of producing students with the requisite cognitive skills, this is not the case for many other behavioral and attitudinal skills and competencies needed by graduates and demanded by employers. The senior year is the last window of opportunity to address this potential deficit before students leave our custodianship. Seniors will soon be our alumni. Alumni participation in the life of our campuses is important for a variety of reasons. These inherited assets may then be available for potential distribution to offsprings favorite charities such as their alma maters.