When you're 5 years old, everyone asks you, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" The answers range from a princess and a professional basketball player to an astronaut and a superhero. There really is no wrong answer and no other questions are asked, so becoming a princess is reasonable, right?

When you're 15 years old, everyone asks again, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" Now, our answers are a bit different. We're not as sure as we were 5 years ago; the thought of being a princess is only meant for fairy tales and the idea of being a superhero isn't as easy as you thought.

When you're 20 years old, everyone asks again, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" But this time, this question comes with another question and another one after that. In fact, the questions keep coming, until you realize that nothing is for certain. These questions include, how will you support yourself in the future? Do you want to stay in your same college town? Are you planning on living back at home for a bit? Is this what you really want to do? Are you going to more school after this? Are you planning on settling down here in a few years? But, wait, are you sure?

If I told you I knew all of these answers, I would be lying. I don't know what the future holds at all and although I have a passion toward a specific occupation, I don't know where that road is specifically leading me to. The finish line is so close, yet so far away - that's exciting, no? Although there are so many roads and speed bumps ahead of me, I can't wait to encounter each and every one of them. I have had setbacks and falls, but I haven't let them hinder me from moving forward - even if it is just one tiny step at a time.

Now, this month is a weird time. It's a month before graduation - the month before the real world hits. There's no syllabus here. It's that feeling your freshman year self had no idea you would feel. Your freshman year self knew that graduation was ahead but didn't know that it would happen this fast. People said the good times come and go and that saying couldn't be more true for these undergraduate years.

I've decided to graduate a year early. It hasn't really hit me, until I started writing this article. It's a feeling of anxiety, excitement, thrill, lust, and nervousness all in one. How do I really feel? I feel proud and extremely grateful. I'm so proud of how much I've grown since September of 2014. Ever since those months, I have learned the importance of being independent and courageous. I also have learned the importance of calling home, while cherishing the city you're in.

I'm also beyond grateful to have such supportive parents - both who inspire me to keep going no matter what obstacles come my way. I'm lucky to have an inspiring little brother, encouraging aunts and uncles, courageous cousins, and such caring grandparents. Family is everything.

I'm also grateful to have met the people that I have. I'm grateful to have met people who convey new ideas and an open-mind. I'm grateful to have met those who are patient and kind; I'm lucky to have grown with such genuine people. These individuals really care about my well-being and help me become the person I wanted to meet when I was younger. With their love, I am able to learn from my mistakes and understand the importance of honesty and trust. It's hard to find those who truly mean what they say, but I was lucky to find them. We're all so different in personalities, majors, goals, and aspirations, but at the same time we're all so similar. We all have rough days, we all sing at the top of our longs to throwback songs, we all miss our families, we all love junk food, and we all have disagreements - but there are no judgments abound. We're all different, but in the best way possible.

Here it is. April, the month before I graduate in Yankee Stadium. This is the month where I have to order a cap and gown. This is the month where I have to order graduation tickets and my family members and friends need to figure out plane tickets and train times.

I'm excited for what the future may hold and I'm ready to take on what comes my way. I know I'm not alone because I have my faith, my loved ones, my friends, and myself to count on. The road ahead isn't clear, but hey, it's the journey that counts, right?