As colleges slowly open their doors to the conclusion of the holidays, students will be rejoining their lessons and taking on new classes. However, for some, this is their final semester of school. It's the final push towards starting a life and becoming an independent adult in the real world.
What does this mean?
And how do they feel about it?
Well, though I am a writer, I can only describe my own experience as I prepare myself for this step.
As my classes start this week, move in happening just yesterday, I look around my cramped dorm room, feeling a layer of nostalgia dusting its walls. My little area rug of a room will never again be the size of my room. I will be moving on in life and taking steps towards being a full-fledged adult. No more classes, but a regularized work schedule, and bills, both living and educational will be due.
After being in school for so long, I felt myself lose a sense of the real world. I've gotten lessons frequently about it and even been awakened from the dreamlike place that college creates, but I didn't really live in it. There was a safety bubble whenever classes were in session. Now when the semester ends, that bubble will be forever popped.
I always wondered what it would feel like, and at this point, I'm still very unsure. I thought there would be a feeling of relief or sadness, but instead, I just find myself feeling a little lost. Where do I go from here, and what kind of time do I have?
Luckily, I have an amazing support system of friends, family, and boyfriend who have been helping me along my path. The biggest part for me right now is ensuring that I can get things done in my own right. I need to work on budgeting skills I've yet to master, find myself a stable work environment, and practice even harder at being an adult.
In life, there are periods of time that come to an end, and we adjust. Why should college be any different? The answer to that is bold I don't know. Change has always been something that I have adjusted to, and I feel, for the most part, handled pretty well. Why should this be any different?
Maybe it's because this is the only thing I don't have a set plan for. I know that I have ideas and brainstormed lists on what to do, but this is where the training wheels officially come off. And maybe that's the hardest thing for me to accept. That I am going to have to finally buckle up and be the 24-year-old I've merely been pantomiming at.
All that's really left at this point, is to see what happens.
