I just graduated, and the biggest thing on everyone's mind is what am I going to do next.

The question "what's next" can be applied to literally any situation, and too often when people are at low points in their lives. No one wants anyone to be so involved in their lives, with advice or asking too many questions. This is creepy because it shows too much interest.

Honestly, I have not had much time to think about my future plans. My next move is grad school for creative writing. Those who know me are proud of me for that choice. My parents were worried I may never get a job as an English major. In fact, my dad told me the odds were slim and I may end up living in a box.

They overlooked the fact that the major you choose in undergrad is not always the career field you pursue. I could have been a doctor, but still have been an English major. In my case, I want to write novels, and now maybe short stories. I will be staying with my specialty of creative writing for my career. Having done an internship in marketing, I realized I have skills that transfer over to other fields, but I cannot be happy doing anything else.

I applied to the professional writing program at Towson University, but the more I talk to people, the more confused I am about my decision. I have not gotten the admissions decision yet, but I am doubting the choice I made to stay at Towson for further study. Some employers seek diversity in the academic institutions a potential candidate has attended.

Talking to people is therapeutic, but also dangerous. People's opinions should be taken with a grain of salt. In this case, I am fixated on whether my choice was right or not. I know the better thing to ask is whether grad school is right for me.

My biggest fear is failing out.

I won't know any of these answers until I'm already in grad school. It is a lot easier to reflect back on the past than to confront fears in the present. My mind, at least, cannot handle it. "What's next" is the furthest thing from my mind. I just want to grow and be better at what I do. I may not need grad school to get published, but I enjoy being in academia for creative writing.

I know my end game is to be a published author. I still don't know if how I get there even matters, as long as I am writing every day and taking steps to share my work with others. Grad school will help me develop a professional network and make friends who could possibly put in a good word for me in the future when I need it most.

People really need to be concerned with their own lives, rather than asking questions of others like "what's next." It puts unnecessary pressure on the person being asked. It almost feels like an obligation to do something big and creates a cycle of attempting to always outdo yourself. The next thing does not have to be better than the last.

We need to let people live their lives without butting in with our own opinions and projecting ourselves onto them. Our problems are not their problems.