We remember it like it was yesterday. The joy of having a stress-free last year of high school. The feeling as if you were on top of the world. Then came the automatic state of panic. The abundance of college brochures filled your mailbox. The way your feet killed you at the end of every single campus tour you took alongside your parents who did nothing but talk your ear off about the pros and cons of each option. When nothing but deadlines became the new story of your life and everywhere you looked, you had yet another application to complete. The worst feeling of not getting into the school you were reaching for, but kinda, secretly hoping you would shock everyone and get into it anyway. The sense of happiness when you finally made your college decision and felt like a huge weight was finally lifted off of your shoulders. You left your hometown and waved goodbye to your childhood friends, moved into your dorm, met so many new friends you felt you've known your entire life, and created memories that will without a doubt last a lifetime. And here we are, 4 years later and only a week before graduation.
I know...graduation. Seems familiar right? It kinda feels like déjà vu. Except this time, it's 2016 and you're graduating from COLLEGE.
Let's repeat that once more. This is your COLLEGE graduation.
How do you feel? That pause you just took, you know, the one where you felt your heart sink to the bottom of your stomach. Yep, that's exactly how the rest of us feel. Can't put the feeling into words? No worries, here's everything every other graduating college senior is feeling too, with some help by gifs to do the explaining for us:
Realizing that you're actually graduating in a week.
...and that there's no turning back anymore.
Meanwhile you're busy explaining to other people about how you're going to survive through senior week.
Meanwhile you're really drinking to forget that you're graduating.
Until that one friend constantly reminds you that it's happening.
And they keep putting you on the path of adulthood.
And a part of you really listens to them.
But then you think to yourself
Until you realize your graduation date is coming closer and closer.
And you think about all the stuff you never did while in college.
Until you question what life is going to be like after you graduate.
Before you know it, graduation is finally here.
The graduation march music starts to play.
As you walk in, you see the people you're not going to be friends with anymore after graduation.
And then look over to the friends you're going to miss completely.
You hear the speaker call your name.
And surprisingly, you love every second of receiving that diploma.
You feel like you're on top of the world.
As you take your seat and listen to the final words of the speaker, you become so proud of yourself for all you've accomplished over the past 4 years.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2016!