Here I am, just a few weeks away from graduating, and let me tell you something: I don’t feel ready.
It’s like I’m watching a novela and all I can think about is what happens next.
People say college is the time of your life, but what they don’t tell you is to prepare for the job search.
We spend three to four years working our butts off, writing essays and pulling all-nighters fueled by caffeine and anxiety. Then, graduation comes and, suddenly, it feels less like a celebration and more like standing at the edge looking at your future.
As graduation gets closer and closer, all I can think about is how the clock is ticking away.
That clock tells me it’s time to switch from college student to “Welcome to real life.” But, what does it even mean?
As an overthinker, I can’t help but overthink everything. What if I don’t get a job? What if I get a job and hate it?
As I scroll through job postings with titles that sound like a secret agent, I have mini mental breakdowns about my future.
With each click, I find myself wondering if I have the right skill set, the right mindset, the right anything at all to even be considered for these positions.
I love worrying about the things I cannot control. Each day that passes feels like another opportunity lost.
My close circle always tells me to stop worrying about my future because, “I have great things coming ahead of me,” and I hate it.
I hate it because they say it with such confidence as if they can see the path laid out in front of me. I wish I could see myself the way they see me.
Sometimes, I have to remind myself that every confident smile is someone who might be freaking out just as much as I am, even if they look calm from the outside.
Everyone is playing their own version of the waiting game, and we’re all stuck in this limbo together.
I guess adulthood is just a never-ending series of, “What am I doing with my life?” moments.
For those of you who are about to graduate and feel like you’re stuck overthinking about your life and what’s next for you, here’s my advice: Take a deep breath.
It’s OK to be scared.
It’s OK to not have everything figured out. Seriously, don’t be afraid to admit that you’re feeling overwhelmed. You’d be surprised by how many people are willing to help you navigate the real-life journey.
I wish I could hug my 15-year-old self and tell her how proud I am of her.
I want to tell her that despite the challenges she faced adjusting to the education system in the United States, and the rollercoaster ride of learning a new language, she was able to accomplish so many things.
As I prepare to throw my cap into the air, I’m also throwing all my fears to move forward in my life.
Remember that no one has it all figured out. Just take it one step at a time, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll enjoy the journey more than the destination.
And who knows, maybe a year from now, we might find ourselves laughing about all the things we worried about during our journey.
Cheers to graduation and the wild ride that follows.
