Graduation is just around the corner and while it should be a time of celebration there is one thing that can make it a little daunting. At least it's a bit daunting for me.

I realized that once I graduate a huge part of my identity is going to disappear. It's been part of who I am for the last 21 years. I will no longer be able to call myself a student. It's a strange thing to think about, being a student just seems so second nature.

Now when I fill out a job application I will no longer check off that box that says I'm still a student or that I'm still attending school. While it's going to be a relief - it's a bit scary too.

For so long I've developed a routine of handling school and other priorities, such as working or looking for work. Now it'll just be about finding work and then working, nothing else. While I am eager to get on with that part of my life it only just hit me a couple days ago how much being a student has been ingrained into my life.

Of course there are some positive aspects to no longer calling myself a student. For one thing, I'll never have to work around my school schedule again, which I have to admit has gotten in the way of finding work in the past. I am looking forward to telling an employer that I can work a full-time position, with no barriers or scheduling conflicts.

It also means I won't be spending money on textbooks anymore which has on more than one occasion drained my bank account. I'll also never have to worry about paying for school again and racking up more debt.

Another thing I'm really looking forward to is not having to worry about making the grade. It's a lot of extra pressure making sure that you manage to get at least passing, although usually you aim higher than that. It's very stressful and while a job is stressful too, you only have the one job and your assigned duties whereas at school you have a minimum of three classes with hours of extra time spent studying or doing homework. In addition, a lot of students do work or volunteer, not to mention try to maintain somewhat of a social life.

There's only one thing that truly scares me about leaving behind the life of a student, making it in the real world. I have no idea if I'll get a job right after graduation and if I don't how long it'll take me to find one. As a student I was given a bit of a free pass if you wil.l and a chance to save what I could, but it's not much.

Now I worry I won't find a job, or that when I do, I still won't make enough to support myself. Even with it being just me the cost of living keeps going up and it's scary to think I may never be able to fully support myself.

Even considering all that though I am looking forward to closing the chapter on my life as a student and starting a new one.