It was on Wednesday the 25th that Eastern seniors celebrated the countdown of 100 days until our imminent graduation. I was getting the notices and emails about a week in advance. They were all detailing where the celebration event would be held, when, and what would be going on during that time. There would be stations set up to help us get our ducks in a row as far as preparation with caps and gowns and the like, and games from which a few people could win donated prizes (really good ones!)
As preoccupied as I was, I didn’t give it much thought. Eastern is always hosting some sort of communal event for its students, and I was too busy working on assignments to take time out and check it all out. And, in all honesty, I didn’t care to think about graduation. Yes, it’s coming, but it’s all the way in the springtime--obviously nothing to worry about so soon! But on Wednesday night, when I had to pass through the event to hurry to class, I was shocked to see how many people were there and how much was going on at once. It was loud and chaotic, and clearly something people were paying attention to.
I think that’s when it hit me that I am speeding towards graduation like a runaway train, even though I’m still not in that mental state at the moment. I don’t know how it is for my classmates, but I know I am so used to the rhythm of a semester-- and the summer vacation thereafter-- that I haven’t entirely considered how fast I am approaching the actual finish line. I’m being pressured for a job, a place to live, and what happens next, and the stress so easily goes away when I don’t think about it, but now I actually do have to think about it. That’s not a bad thing, of course, and I know by the time graduation comes, I will have done everything I need to set myself up for a successful transition to 'real life,' but it’s a heavy thing to have to walk around with.
I am excited, though. Graduation is four years in the making, and my mom and I practically swoon over the fact that I won’t need to finish any more homework or study for finals anymore. I and my classmates have earned this triumph, and despite the anxiety that will inevitably remain until the day is passed, I know I am most definitely ready to conclude this chapter in my life with graduation in less than 100 days!
