An Open Letter to the Undergrad Already Panicking About Graduation

Everyone says that as you grow older, the years start to feel shorter. By the time you get to college, this feeling has become more than noticeable. It's become a little overwhelming. When the holiday season hits, the realization that the school year is almost over comes along. As a third year in college, that means that I only have three semesters left. I now completely understand the panic that sets in for college students this time of year.

What I've discovered is that it isn't necessarily a fear of the future or a fear of change that is overwhelming students, but the fear of the unknown. It's the fear that you haven't prepared enough to understand how to pay a mortgage. It's the fear that you won't be good enough at your job. Ultimately, it's the fear of failure.

This fear is completely valid. No one knows how their future is going to play out and that can be terrifying, especially for people who are used to having everything planned out. There are endless career options and it feels like every choice that you make is life or death. There is a level of expectation that you feel has to be lived up to, whether that stems from family or personal expectations.

My advice to you is to breathe. Take advantage of every moment. Spend as much time with friends as possible, but don't forget to focus on class. Don't stress about every choice, but seize the opportunities in your life. You never know which path you'll end up on, but that's part of the fun. You have to look at the future with an optimistic and open mind. Understand that time goes fast and don't waste any of it.

I know that this advice seems contradictory. Have fun, but not too much fun. Get good grades, but don't just focus on school, etc. No matter what advice you hear this season, don't overthink it too much. Stress shouldn't be the thing that your precious time is spent on. Make the most of the time that you have. Appreciate every moment.