When I was younger, I remember constantly poking fun at the idea of my parents having a "mid-life crisis." I wondered if, perhaps, us kids would get a yacht or exotic vacation out of it. It seemed likely to me, based off of the movies and television shows I'd seen, that the impending incident would be hilarious and simple; a crisis was never shown to last more than the cinematic length allowed, and the solution was always neat and tidy. Little did I know...

My understanding of the "mid-life crisis," and truly any crisis at all, was much plainer back then, and unfortunately didn't account for the struggles of the real, adult world. I figured when I arrived at college I'd immediately find my major, desired career path and overall purpose in life. I had mistakenly assumed that getting older was all it would take to pull my life together in one stroke. As I've entered the grey area between childhood and full-fledged adulthood, my understanding of a "crisis" has matured.

A "quarter-life crisis" was originally understood as a period of time between the age 20 and 30 where an individual might feel intense stress or pressure to perform exceedingly well in both the realms of home and work. However, our understanding of this phenomenon has changed over the years. Interestingly enough, researchers are beginning to see a new, and younger, trend. Nearly 86 percent of 1,100 young adults surveyed admitted to feeling intense pressure about getting and keeping a job, remaining in a stable relationship and maintaining a good financial outlook.

This is a trend seen on college campuses across our country. As young Americans, we feel an intense societal pressure to determine our purpose and succeed at it as early as possible. The media we consume makes it seem easy. If that character could find love in under one and a half hours, why can't I? Similarly, our teachers and professors often make succeeding seem like something we should be able to do without guidance. It seems that success needs to occur before or just after graduating. Yet, very few adults have ever sat us down and explained how it actually works. From our perspective, their success and happiness just sort of... happened.

This leads to a crisis of "how did they get there, and how do I do it, too?"

So, my fellow college students and young adults, it's completely normal to feel extremely stressed about our futures, who we'll spend them with, and what we'll do with those expensive degrees.

This is nothing to be ashamed of. We're stuck in an awkward place between drowning in teenage hormones and renting our first apartments. This is our transition from a naive, but hopeful, child to the harsher and more pressing realism of adulthood. We want to help the world but we aren't sure how. The fact that we can't even afford a nice meal isn't helping that sinking sense of inability.

Simply put: we have a lot going on.

It's time to have a real chat about dealing with a "quarter-life crisis." There are three very important changes we, as a generation, can make.

1. Stop looking so far ahead and understand the gravity of what you're doing right now.

College is a fantastic opportunity to create the memories we will tell stories about for years to come. It's hectic and stressful. College students don't sleep a lot and we squeeze as many things in to our schedules as we can. It can be tempting to worry about where your major will take you, or if the degree you're getting will be worth it, or if you'll ever make enough money to support yourself fully. If you spend all your time focusing on what's to come instead of what's happening in this exact moment, you'll find that you blinked and missed college. Enjoy the chaos and the busyness.

2. Talk to anyone and everyone about what you're feeling.

We're surrounded by peers and adults almost constantly, and there's a good chance that they're either going through a similar thing or have experienced it at one point in time. Sitting down with another human and chatting through what your current plans are or how you're starting to understand yourself can be a vital tool in making a stable path. If you're worried about your major or the jobs that come with it, have a chat with an academic advisor, or send an email to a professional in that field. Explore your options! If you're concerned about relationships or self identity speak with your friends, a counselor or a trusted adult mentor. There are open ears all around you. The hardest part is convincing yourself it's worth it to start the dialogue.

3. Don't create an image of the perfect adulthood off of what society and the media tells you to.

You are your own person. We're living in a time where you don't have to be a mother, or a businessman, or a graduate school student. If we all fit ourselves into the model we see in society, everyone would be vying for spots as a doctor or lawyer. The world needs welders, car salesmen, guidance counselors and teachers. It's important that you don't create a crisis for yourself because you aren't hitting the milestones you think you should be. The only person who needs to be living your life is you. Take a step back and a big, deep breath. Become the person you're called to be.

Crisis of identity and success is becoming more prominent in young people. We're now tasked with understanding why this is and what to do about it. Just remember, keep calm, limit judgement and follow your own path.