Most of us are probably feeling the stress of finishing projects, studying for finals and everything else that comes with the end of the semester. It’s this time of year that makes a lot of us say ” I can’t wait to be done with school”. However, the end of this semester is making me wish I could be a student forever.

Graduation is less than 2 weeks away and what comes next is a daunting uncertainty that becomes more stressful with each passing day. Unlike a test that you simply have to study for, what comes after graduation can’t be answered so easily. The reality that life, that thing we’ve gone to school for since kindergarten, is now upon us, is exciting and terrifying at the same time. My Mom mailed me one of my graduation announcements the other day and I was like “wow I guess I really am graduating”. I’m sure today when I go pick up my cap and gown the reality will sink in further.

I know I’m not the only one facing the bittersweet situation of graduating, as I have heard many of my friends and fellow graduates express mixed emotions about what is to come. I remember a couple years ago, a friend of mine was getting ready to graduate from college and was in the same stressful situation that I currently find myself in. I remember she told me to enjoy every minute of being a student and not to wish college away; well, back then, I assured her that I was ready to graduate and would be 100% ready even when the time came, little did I know that when it actually did I too would be wanting more time as a student.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m READY to graduate, I just wish the future was a little more certain and of course I’m going to miss all of the fun times with my friends. College has been the best days of our lives so far and it can be scary to think that in a matter of days this chapter of life will be behind us. Where will I work? Where will I live? How much money will I make? How often will I see all my friends? These are some of the questions I have and probably others of you in the same situation have as well.

A couple of these questions can be answered sooner than others, like where to live. My lease ends at the end of the month, so that question will have to be answered soon or else it’s a cardboard box for me! However, the big question is where to work and in today’s economy this is definitely the toughest one to answer. Oh well, all we can do is be persistant in the job search and hope that something comes soon. I hope a year from now all of the December graduates will have found a great job and can look back at these uncertain times and laugh about how silly it was.

I have so much to do to prepare for this next step in life. Between finding a place to live and continuing the job hunt, cleaning the house, packing and finishing up school work, these couple weeks are going to be anything but relaxing! I guess the craziness of the situation will make it that much easier to appreciate life when thing have settled down again.

My last weeks of blogs will incorporate my journey to the “real world” and my last weeks as a student. I figured a lot of other students can relate to this or will be able to when it comes time to graduate. I encourage you to share your graduation experience and offer advice if you’ve been here before. To all of my fellow stressed out, upcoming graduates, let’s make the most out of these last days in college!

Post Photo: Leo Reynolds