Graduating college is a very exciting time for most people. That sense of accomplishment you get from finally walking across that stage, being handed the diploma you put so much time, effort and money in to—It has finally culminated into a tangible item that can better your future and help you help others in whatever field it is that you are entering in to. You're surrounded by family and friends and the excitement of celebrations! It is almost all awesome. However, getting your degree does not mean you have it all together, and coming from my own personal experience, there are few questions I would rather everyone avoid asking me.

Yes, I graduated college. No, I do not consider myself a real adult yet.

1. What are your summer plans?

While this question may come out of sheer curiosity and a kind place, this question sets any newly graduated individual down a road of terror and anxiety. When I am asked this question, I know that the person asking is expecting me to say something about job hunting or internships or furthering my education and the adult expectations are already beginning! The truth is, I have just accomplished something major, and I want to take some time to relax and celebrate. This could be your graduate's last real summer and spending the entirety of it already stressing about the real world will not be very fun...

2. What are you going to do with a degree in THAT?

As a Communication Arts student, I get this question very, very, very often. I understand people are curious, and while I do have an answer for them, many others do not. They spent however many years it took to get a degree in something they enjoy and love, and maybe they don't have it all figured out yet. Asking what their future plans are with an inflection of disappointment or confusion does not help anyone and only invokes feelings of even more confusion or possibly regret. That's not exactly what you want your graduating friend/family member to be feeling after they walk across that stage, do you?

3. How do you plan on keeping in touch with all the friends you’re moving away from?

This question, put simply, HURTS like hell. Moving away from your friends is so hard and maintaining real friendships as adults can be super difficult. But at the end of my senior year, I haven't put that much thought into that and now it's all I can think about. I think myself into a tornado of anxiety and despair, and all of my fears of being alone and abandoned come racing to the forefront of my mind...all because of your question. I will manage to keep track of the people whose relationships are that important to me. But I'm too busy popping champagne bottles to be thinking about that right now!

4. Why aren’t you in a relationship yet?

I went to college to get an education, not a husband, contrary to popular belief. Yes, I understand that some people meet the love of their life in college. It just didn't work out for me. It kind of sucks and it is another area of uncertainty I will have to deal with, but it is not my biggest concern. I would much rather you send some positive vibes and congratulations my way than we dwell on my failed college relationships, and I'm sure all my fellow single graduates would concur.

5. Do you regret anything about your undergrad/college life?

Whether this is asked by a friend or family member, this is an awful question. The obvious answer is yes -- I messed up on some finals, I didn't put effort into the right friendships, I didn't leave college engaged (refer to question four) and I got too drunk and had awful hangovers, on more than one occasion. But in this time of celebration, I do not need a trip down memory lane. I would rather look ahead to my future than fall back into the ruts of my past.

For the sake of the sanity of all my fellow graduates, please do your very best to avoid these questions (and questions closely related to these). You will save them a lot of anxious thoughts and feelings, and keep the vibe bright and uplifting. Congratulate and celebrate your grad and send them into their future feeling loved and happy, not judged or scared of the future. Wishing the class of 2018 all the best!

Until next week friends!