No matter how old I get, I will never fear the day that I have to walk across a stage and accept a diploma for the second time in my life. Don't get me wrong, the first time was scary enough for a 17 year-old but at least I had a general idea for what was coming after high school. Two years from now I will be graduating from college and, as of right now at least, I have no idea what the world has in store for me after that long walk.

To any graduating high school senior that has stumbled upon this article: be grateful for the stress that you feel right now before you walk. At least you have the comfort of having the weird liminal stage of your undergrad to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. I'm about to be a junior in college and I still have no idea what I want to be, and the sand in my decision hourglass is running out much faster than yours.

They tell you that college is the ultimate entrance to "adulting" but we all know that's just a scare tactic used to get college kids accustomed to the idea of being "on your own." Face it, no matter how far away you are from home during your undergrad, you can at least still skip one or two classes without any serious repercussions. You can turn in a couple of assignments late without feeling any strong effects on your grade. Only have a little job experience and living off of Ramen noodles as a result? It's not a big deal, at least you still have the meal plan that comes with your overall tuition.

After these four years, responsibility is your best friend. Fail to show up to work without any excuse? Fired. Miss an important deadline? Fired. No job and no food? That sucks. Enjoy your hunger.

While I know I tend to complain a lot about how "hard" life is as a college student, I still try to remind myself that I should at least be grateful for this learning experience, not only in the classroom but outside of it as well. Those moments that I would rather stay in bed than drag myself to a 7:50 class for my major I remind myself that skipping work won't give me the paycheck I want (and need) in a few years. Calling out of work on a regular basis may cut back on my "spending money" now but it may mean I can't make important payments in a few years. Giving up on all of my responsibilities for a week may be excusable because "it's finals week," but giving up on all of my responsibilities in the next few years may cause me to lose the job that I have worked toward and will, most likely, really need to support myself.

With a great, albeit stressful, sophomore year behind me, I look forward to the challenges of the future. I know it won't be easy; I know it will only get more difficult as I progress toward a Bachelor's in English Writing (and potentially an MFA in Creative Writing, if I ever make up my mind,) but at least I know that the struggle will eventually bring a reward. I just have to remind myself that life can't be all sunshine and rainbows all the time but it can be some of the time...as long as you work for it.

So while I am still a ways off from my college graduation, I am quite terrified of it. However, it is a fear of respect rather than dread. I know that it won't be easy, but nothing worth having in life is ever easy.