I’ve been going to school off and on and working full time for six years. The first two years, I was more focused on my education and being involved on campus. Yet, as the time went on, I focused more and more on my career, becoming a second assistant, becoming a first assistant, striving to be a store manager, interning at corporate marketing, becoming a marketing coordinator… the list goes on. Oddly enough, because of my ambition and hard work, I earned my “dream job,” all without my degree…But now, I've decided I need that piece of paper...

As a marketing coordinator, I traveled long weekends all across the nation to put on events and to grow brand and customer connections. And now, I’ve decided to step down and focus on my education for the next six months. No full-time work. No daily agenda and weekly scheduled business meetings. No sales numbers to hit, or employees to train… Instead of “Kelsey Proctor, Marketing Coordinator,” I am “Kelsey Proctor, Full-time Student” (KPFTS). And I’m scared sh*tless.

I understand how to do this “adulting” thing that we all grow anxious of. I understand how to pay bills, save for those “what if” moments, plan for doctor’s appointments and put on the calendar when it’s time to service my car. I understand how to deal with the stress of the daily world. I’ve “adulted,” and I’ve “adulted” well.

Now, I have 10 days until I become KPFTS. And instead of buying books and organizing my class binders, I’m drinking an Alaskan beer, eating caramel and apples and writing this page. Again, I’m procrastinating and scared sh*tless.

School has never come easily for me. I’ve never been KPFTS, the student to sit in the front row, raising her hand constantly or hanging out during the teacher’s office hours. I’ve done enough to get by — to earn a B, and go back to work. And now, I have no more excuses. I need to be “KPFTS who raises her hands, and strives to break the curve.” For the third time in this post…I’m scared sh*tless.

Students who earn As, who have above-average GPAs and who are strongly involved on campus aren’t given enough credit. This school thing is hard. Finding the motivation to study for four quizzes in one week, write a 10-page paper with no sleep and still show up for Marketing Club and intramural flag football? Holy hell. Props for you! I don’t know how I did this four years ago, and I don’t know how I’m going to do it during my upper-level classes now.

I’m writing this to give all students (full-time or not) the biggest high five ever! Because of all that you’ve learned in your stressful academic career, and learning how to "student," you’ll figure out this "adulating" thing. Be proud of yourselves! For now, if you have any advice for me on how to “student” please leave your comments here!

(Like really…please leave your comments here…right now.)