Some of us have been thinking about graduating from college since we were in elementary school. Others never thought we would get this far.

Either way, we're here. We are about to graduate.

This graduation, however, is different.

When we graduated from high school, we went straight back to school for four more years. For college seniors, we have the option to stop school completely and go to work in our careers. Or we could go back to school for our masters, then go on to get our doctorate.

As seniors, graduation is constantly looming over our heads. Every test, every homework assignment, and every grade is one of our last; each will contribute to our mounting stress level as we look ahead to our futures.

As college seniors, we fear so much. We fear that maybe our degree will be worthless. We are afraid of graduate school. We are afraid we may never get into the career we want. We worry about our major and how it will be perceived by future employers.

Our lives seem to be controlled by fear.

Instead of being afraid, we need to embrace the unknown.

With our newly printed degree, we can celebrate our achievement that took four years to accomplish. We can be proud of every exam we ever took and every class we sat in because it will all be worth it. We will have so many opportunities and experiences available to us in our coming months and years. Completing college was just one achievement in our lives.

For first-generation college students, we are achieving something no one else in our families has done. We committed to our education and ourselves, and soon, we will have the degree to prove it.

When I graduate college, I plan on continuing my education. There are so many routes I can take to ensure my future is the way I want it. But all of the routes involve more education. I think regardless of my options, I'm going to be in school for a while.

Law school is one option for me. I love the idea of studying law and becoming a lawyer.

I also love educating myself and being around people who love learning. An astounding amount of masters programs exist in Maryland and there are so many more nationwide. If I chose to get my masters, what program will I choose?

Whatever option I choose, I will be ready for it. But first, I just have to graduate from college.