I remember being a senior in high school. I was excited, yet fearful of the future, being that it seemed that it had arrived so quickly. I was asking myself so many questions: where will I go to school, how will I afford it, what do I want to study, will I like the school that I choose, what will my life look like in the next four years, etc. The questions were endless. At that point, I remember thinking, oh my god, these four years have flown by. If only I had realized that high school was moving in slow motion, compared to the speed of college.

As I enjoy this last summer as an undergraduate student and reflect on these past few years, I can’t help but think of countless things as I head off into my senior year. Here are five things that have been on my mind since junior year has ended.

1. How did I get here so fast?

Everyone always says that as you get older, life flies by. So many family members, teachers, and neighbors have told me that in my life and I understand that and embrace it, yet, it always seems like I blink, and another year has passed. I'm cognizant of this, yet the realization is fleeting. I mean, I remember everything about my graduation day: I remember my outfit, hair, tassels, pins, and cords. I remember it vividly, as if it was yesterday.

Throughout each semester of the past three years, I have always noticed that around week three or four, the pace starts to pick up, and we suddenly begin to move so quickly. Solely realizing it doesn't make things slow down, if anything, it seems to expedite the process.

2. What am I doing with my life?

Isn't this the golden question of every single human being? (maybe not, but this is definitely a question that I ask myself at least once a week). Sometimes I feel like I have a plan that I'm working towards, while sometimes I do not feel that way at all. I feel like my life is in limbo – kind of like I'm moving forward but not really.

I've learned to accept this feeling. It's kind of like a quarter life crisis thing, but I'm figuring it out with each day that passes. Right now I think that I'm working towards my Master's and then a job. But who knows, life might have a completely different plan in store for me, and I'm good with that.

3. Where do I want to go to school?

This question goes in part with question two. For a while I wasn't even sure if I wanted to go straight through and pursue my Master's degree or if I wanted to take a break and work. Currently I'm planning on continuing with my education but who knows, the next academic year might change my mind. I'm open to the endless possibilities of my future.

Earlier this month I made a list of eighteen graduate schools that have my program of study. I have recently brought that list down to 14 schools but I don't even know how to go about eliminating another ten school or so. There are so many attributes that I'm keeping in mind as I choose where to apply. I think that this part of the future is what is making me most nervous for senior year.

4. Have I accomplished everything I've wanted to accomplish throughout my undergraduate career?

Coming into my freshman year I had a lot of goals, most were academic and merit based, but as I got into my Nazareth College experience, I learned about how to make more meaningful and purposeful goals. I'm proud to say that I have reached most of those goals, and those that I have not yet reached, I plan on reaching by May of 2017.

5. What will the next four years of my life look like?

I'm working on settling into the unknown, accepting that I don't have to know what will happen. Let me tell you that that is no easy feat, but I'm working on it. So, although I have a few things that I want to accomplish in the next four years and I have a rough sketch of where I want to be, I am confident that I will be exactly where I am meant to be, even if I hadn't originally planned on being there.

To all you college seniors, Class of 2017: We can do this! It's a good year to have a good year. Let's go!!