Everyone says third year is the hardest—and they’re right. Between the intense course load and a looming thesis, the pressure is on. But pushing through is where you really see how much you’ve learned.

The pressure is on to get real-world experience, so you land an internship or a part-time job in your field. You might take on a leadership role, like running a student organization. Socially, you’re juggling these big responsibilities with your personal life.

This is the year you really get tested—pushing through that brutal final exam season, managing a heavy project load, and still finding time for your friends. It’s when you discover just how much you can actually handle.