Final exams are approaching, Binghamton University students are counting each cent on their meal cards and the temperature has finally reached a high of 55 degrees — the end of the year’s second semester has arrived. But for BU’s graduating seniors, something has changed from the usual pre-summer-vacation routine: there will be no return to BU in the fall. This is a reality which many graduating seniors are facing with mixed emotions — excitement, denial and uncertainty.

“I think most seniors want to graduate feeling they left some type of impact on BU,” said Mike Smyth, a senior and the departing Student Association president. “Whether it’s winning a beer pong tournament or helping Habitat for Humanity, seniors just need to know that there’s something they did, that they will be remembered for the time they put in over four years.”

Michael Goldberg, a senior psychology major, views senior year as a time to be with friends, because, according to him, a chance to live with 10 best friends under one roof may never come again.

“All seniors, at some point, have to realize that they will never have an opportunity to be able to hang out with their friends whenever they want to,” he said. “After college, most likely, everyone will separate and live further away from each other. The worst thing is to have regrets and realize that you should have hung out more with your friends.”

For many students, BU professors have also been extremely influential over the course of college, serving as both mentors and friends.

“Sarah Thompson in the athletics department has influenced me the most in a professional sense,” said Marisa Marks, a senior human development major. “Her nutrition class was one of the most rewarding classes I have ever taken and I learned a tremendous amount from her. It is partly because of her that I plan to attend graduate school in the fall for a masters in health education. I thank her repeatedly from the bottom of my heart.”

Senior Jeffrey Teitelbaum, a psychology and economics major, agreed that a college professor has the power to change the lives of students.

“Whether extending his already extended office hours, or the fact that his door is always open, I have found Professor Morrissey’s dedication to his students to be something to truly strive for,” he said. “Morrissey has also gone out of his way to go to numerous activities, dinners and performances that his students are involved in. He is the epitome of the wonderful faculty at BU.”

The last few weeks before graduation often become a time of reflection for BU graduating seniors, remembering the shy, nervous freshmen they were when they entered BU and seeing the now confident, yet still nervous, seniors they have become.

“I know that if I had gone anywhere else other than BU, I may not be the person I am today,” Marks said. “I have matured and become a stronger person, but I have also realized what truly matters and that my life is simply what I make of it; I hold the power to succeed.”

Goldberg also credits BU for his personal growth as an individual.

“I’ve definitely become more mature since my freshman year,” he said. “I’ve learned responsibility. I’m not a kid anymore and my parents won’t take care of everything for me nowadays. Most things are now up to me.”

For Smyth, BU has gone above and beyond giving him the necessary tools to succeed in life after college.

“I know more about public opinion and elections than I would like to,” he said. “I’ve also grown dependent on Facebook.”

Although few, there are certainly some aspects of BU which graduating seniors are ready to part with.

“The infamous weather that covers the campus sky,” Marks said. “No matter what the weather is like in the rest of the state or country, you can be sure it’s cloudy in Binghamton. It kind of makes you laugh after it pisses you off.”

For Goldberg, the Downtown scene has definitely run its course.

“I won’t miss the State Street bars too much,” he said. “Of course a little, but the Downtown scene has gotten extremely old.”

Although the Vestal Parkway food chains can be found in other parts of the country as well, there are some quirky characteristics that will always remain unique to BU.

“Tina who worked in the Newing dining hall my freshman year,” said Goldberg. “That woman was out of her mind.”

“Despite how grimy the Rat is, I still love going there,” said Vanessa Eng, a senior economics major, referring to State Street’s The Rathskeller Pub.

“It’s a tie between the guy who wears dresses downtown and something else,” Smyth said.

BU’s distinct personality makes it difficult for graduating seniors to say goodbye, but knowing alumni weekend is just around the corner brings comfort to many.

“I don’t know if I will have to come back and visit because I refuse to leave … just kidding,” Marks said. “I’m sure I’ll be back again even though it may break my heart to visit the place that I’ll miss so much. It may just be the friends I have made, but Binghamton is like a second home to me.”

Smyth agrees, and believes there are always things left to accomplish here in Binghamton.

“I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do here,” he said. “I’ve run out of goals, so now they’re something along the lines of meeting Justin from Just in Time Auto and to test my endurance at the dollar menu. But I’ll be back to visit. Through thick and thin, I definitely have come to love this place.”