Here I am, the second semester of my senior year. I just applied to graduate, and I am terrified. Don't get me wrong though; I am excited to see what the "real world" has in store for me, but I am scared that all the work I've put in will all be for nothing. These last four years of my life have been some of the best times that I will forever cherish. But what scares me is what is to come after undergrad is over and done.

As I inch closer to the finish line, I wish I could go back to the starting line and do it all over again. Thinking back on it, I would have done so many things differently. I wouldn't have tried to impress everybody, and I definitely wouldn't have slacked off as much as I did. Boy did that put me into a huge hole. Every step I took forward, I took three steps back. Then I finally kicked myself into gear. Was it too late? Maybe, but I'm trying to make the best of the situation I've going on right now. But this is neither here nor there.

Graduation and adjusting to post-grad life is going to be the toughest challenge that we will have to overcome because there aren't a whole lot of jobs out there for us young folk. While there are quite a bit still out there, there just aren't as many as there used to be. Entry-level positions have all but disappeared due to companies wanting two to three years of experience just to qualify you for said entry-level position. How are we supposed to get two to three years of experience? Through internships? LOL. Most internships are straight B.S. They just deem you coffee kid for three to four months while we gain zero experience from a summer of getting coffee for a boss who hardly even knows we're there. And to top it all off, some of us are up to our ears in student loans, and without those entry-level positions we can't pay them back. That's right; we have to start paying those back once we graduate. And on top of that, we will eventually have to house/apartment hunt. And that too costs money. Don't forget groceries, and the optional gym membership. We will live in debt for the rest of our lives with degrees that are all but worthless in the end.

Oh, and don't forget, there's always grad school to tack on more debt to your already absurdly high-interest rates on your student loans... Doesn't graduating sound like so much fun!?

Now if you're like me, you have a really tight-knit family. Not just immediate, but extended as well. Not only am I worried about not getting a job, I'm terrified that if I get a job, it will be in a different state where I won't be able to visit my parents or aunts and uncles whenever I want. I am so close with my family that I am deathly afraid to leave them. I don't think I could handle the distance. I know that sounds sad, but it's true and it's a very real fear of mine. I know they'll be fine, but I can't help but think the absolute worst if I'm gone. I just love my family, you know? I wouldn't be where I am or who I am without them.

Trust me, I know there are plenty of ways to keep in contact with my family if I should ever take an out-of-state job. It just wouldn't be the same. And there isn't exactly a "Christmas Break" like there is in school where I can just go home, relax for a whole month, all while watching ridiculous amounts of Netflix. This is the harsh reality of growing up and moving away from Mom and Dad. This is what college should have somewhat prepared you for: living on your own and making adult decisions.

I like to imagine post-grad life is a lot like partying at Applebee's. I don't exactly know why I just do. And try not to think about living under a crippling amount of debt. It'll all work itself out... eventually. And please keep crying to a minimum, we're adults. Crying is for kids with boo-boos, and this is going to be one big boo-boo. So go ahead, have yourself a cry. I'll be right there with you. When it's all said and done put on your big kid pants and take graduation/post-grad life head on. That's about all we can do now; expect the worst and hope for the best. Happy Graduation!