Where did the past four years go, and when did I become this adult with actual responsibilities? Throughout high school, I couldn’t wait to go to college. To experience what is said to be the best four years of a person’s life. Then that time came, the first day of being a student at Georgia Southern University.

I was on my own with really no idea how to be. I quickly grew up and learned how to adult (or what I thought as real adulting) and be the best version of myself. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely took a victory lap and did all the “college” things. I went to parties, skipped class, and went to happy hour instead of studying for that test. Yes, I made many mistakes, but honestly, what college kid doesn’t? The craziest part is, I didn’t realize how fast time was really going. I went from a freshman to a senior in what now feels like one year. For the past four years, I have been waking up every day, throwing on a t-shirt, and worrying about the minimum assignments I need to do that day and that’s it. Now, I find myself shopping for blazers and stressing over hour-long presentations. Before I know it, even those worries will seem small and turn into stress over paying bills and a real person job. I woke up yesterday and realized that my college career and lifestyle will be over in a matter of weeks.

I thought to myself, what’s next? (And I thought I was struggling when I first started college.) I have to soon be an actual working human and do real adult things. And I’m not ready. As I sit and think about how not ready I am, I realize that I wasn’t ready for my college chapter either, but I adjusted and have made some of the best memories of my life. Leaving college behind and making my way into the world is very bittersweet. As I move forward and prepare myself to face the challenges ahead, I won’t forget to occasionally look back and remember that it is okay to struggle. It is okay to fail sometimes. Everyone does. So sayonara college, you will be dearly missed, but I’m ready to leave you behind.

Hello, adulthood!