To all of my fellow post-grads,

First of all, congrats! You have worked so hard these past few years pulling all-nighters, writing endless papers and studying for daunting exams. Getting a college degree is a big deal and it is quite the cause for celebration. You met many people, some of whom may be in your wedding. You went on this long journey of self-discovery while pursuing higher education. You have learned so much academically and about yourself.

But now your journey in college has ended. While this is an exciting time and the start of a new chapter of your life, it’s scary. Whether or not you have plans, most of us don’t know what lies ahead. The uncertainty of a temporary internship or the ambiguity of a graduate school program can make you feel uneasy. Everyone else around you is so excited, but they're asking all of these questions about your future and all you want to do is sit in a dark room and sleep forever. No? Just me?

I think a lot of people in our situation are in this weird limbo. I find that while I do have short-term plans, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Don’t worry if you are too, I think we are the majority. At least this is what I say to comfort myself.

I find that it’s really eye-opening when I talk to people who graduated a year or two before I did. They’re doing so many amazing and unexpected things. There are so many careers out there I have never heard of and there is no way to not achieve your goal.

Look, I totally get it. I know how you’re feeling. You’re probably moving back home to your childhood bedroom and planning to spend your Friday nights in your living room watching House Hunters with your mom. You’re feeling like a failure as you look for a job or save money while at home.

You’re not a failure. We’re not failures. We’re still just figuring stuff out, and that’s okay. It’s okay not to know. Uncertainty is really scary and we have every right to be a little freaked out about adulthood.

But you’ll get there, I promise you. The pieces of your life will fall into place. You’ll go far and achieve your goals. As they say, life is what happens while you’re busy making plans. How do I know this? I don’t, I’m just optimistic and I have faith in life and in myself. I mean, you graduated from college and that itself is a big feat.

I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. Don’t forget to try and have fun and make memories along the way. Don’t stress.