Today I sat on the steps of Gore Hall and looked out to the green on this beautiful fall day. I took a long breath in and realized something. I am finally getting the hang of college. I know how to pick and register for classes, juggle my time between school and clubs, I’ve found my steady group of friends, and even though I’m usually stressed, I have a handle on things. It all seems to be coming together.

Then, it dawns on me. I only have one year left, just two more semesters. What the heck am I doing with my life? I am completely unprepared! How do I find a job? Do I try to go to grad school and pick up even more debt? If I began looking for a job, what would I even look for? What do you even do with a Communications Major and how come I don’t know the answer to this question yet? After three years in college you would think I would have some idea of what I want to do for the rest of my life, but I don’t know. I don’t know at all.

I’ve always been good at planning ahead and allocating my time. I am the President of an organization on campus, am a full-time student with a major and two minors, I write for the Odyssey, act in musical theater, have a social life, maintain a relationship, and swim in my down time. I’ve always felt that I do my best when I am busy but have a clear goal ahead. Now that my goal of graduating is close to done, I feel a sense of panic not having a new goal in sight. Of course, I want to get engaged and find a place to live, but there’s so much more that comes before that. The problem I’m having now is where to start.

I guess the point of me writing this is because I figure I am not alone. There’s got to be at least one other person who has no idea what they are doing after college. I want to let that person know they are by no means alone. I have full confidence that you and I will figure it out. Maybe the path won’t be clear right away, but we will certainly find a way. If we’ve gotten this far, there’s no use in quitting now.