Last week, I had my senior exit interview at my college. The whole thought is crazy, honestly—that graduation is coming closer and way faster than I anticipated.

I took an assortment of different surveys—about my major, about the campus, about the school as a whole—but was always asked the same question each time: what were my definite plans right after graduation?

I always thought I had a set (yet unrealistic) plan from the time I was a high school senior: I’d get my Bachelors in Creative Writing, get a fancy shmancy apartment in New York, and work in a publishing house while I sent my own workout. I’d have some over-the-top fairytale wedding with some New York City, hipster kind of guy, have two and a half kids. We’d settle down back in suburbia New Jersey.

Oh boy, was I wrong.

As a senior in college, many of my paths have changed. I still love writing. It’s something that that lets me express myself and reach other people. I plan to get my Masters in Fine Arts for Creative Writing. One day, I'd love to have my works published. I want people to connect with it, too. But I also learned while I was abroad that I enjoyed teaching English. I loved seeing when a word or phrase or American concept clicked with the students. I loved the passion I saw in the teachers who were teaching the class.

I realized that I don’t want to get married right away. I’m completely fine without the fairytale wedding (cliché and unnecessary to me now, at 21 years old). And of course, one day I’d like to start a family. But right now, I want to focus on growing myself. I want to give my attention to my family, my friends, my boyfriend.

This time is frightening and can make any senior anxious—no matter if they have “definite” plans or not. Regardless, graduating college practically throws us out into the real world. Come to think of it, it’s actually terrifying.

But I think what we need to understand is that we’re going to be okay. We need to accept that we may not have a definite plan. Sometimes, our plans don't go the way we want. And that's okay. Life is all about curveballs and enjoying the small moments that make it great. Thinking about and having a plan for the future isn't a necessarily something bad to think about. But having different conversations with my dad and boyfriend, I've realized that I have to think about and live in the now. I need to stop letting such small worries bother me.

For the seniors that have a good idea or know exactly what they’re doing after they graduate—good for you. That’s great! You should really be proud, whether it be continuing your education to obtain your Masters/certification or joining the workforce.

And for the seniors who don’t even have a clue—don’t fret. You’re okay. You will figure something out. It may not be right now, it may not be even within the year—but you will get it. But taking care of yourself is the best that you can do for yourself. Do not let outside forces make you think that you are less than what you are. Do not let others’ negativity or comments stop you from working towards where you want to be.

You will get there.