Since being enrolled in college, I have slowly but inevitably found out what it means to live in the real world. Being an adult means not always doing things because you want to but because you have to.

This seems to apply a lot towards college students. Not only do most of us have to do all of the things that adults have to do anyway like working and paying bills, but we have about four homework assignments to complete, three exams to study for, two essays to write, and a group project to finish all before the week is over.

During the first semester of my freshman year, I never thought that the overwhelming stress upperclassman talked about would ever apply to me. Two years later and the stress and anxiety of school, work, extracurricular activities, and other adult responsibilities have practically swallowed me whole.

The breakdowns and panic attacks have become an unfortunate reality for me. However, I choose to be thankful for the opportunities given to me.

I choose to be thankful that higher education is a high priority in American culture. Not everyone around the world has access to a good education at all, much less access to a higher level education and I refuse to take that privilege for granted.

I am thankful that I live in a time and place where I can be valued for what is inside my mind as a woman and not just what is on the outside.

I am thankful for people who help me through this mentally and emotionally challenging time in my life. My family is my biggest support system; they help me navigate in the real world since high school never taught me how to. Without my family, I would not have the drive to succeed simply because they are the people who always motivate me to do my best.

I am also thankful for the people who never made an effort to stay in my life even when I needed them the most. Being in college has taught me who my friends really are. It can be surprising how many people will say they are your friend but act like an enemy behind your back.

Growing up has taught me the difference between real and fake friends, and I am thankful I have learned to tell the difference.

Most of all, I am thankful for better job opportunities that the future holds. I know many people have great jobs without a degree. Nonetheless, the degree I am working so hard to achieve will go a long way in helping me make my dreams a reality. One day I will have my dream job, and I will be even more thankful for my degree that helped me get there.

I know that this brokenness that most college students experience is only temporary and that the hard work I am putting in is necessary for a better future.

All of my hard work will be worth it once that piece of paper is placed in my hand. Despite all of the stress and anxiety, I have found myself becoming a better and more well-rounded person; for that I am thankful.