One of the most nostalgic parts of being a senior in college is thinking about where you were a mere four years ago, the last time you were a senior of "something". Senior year of high school and senior year of college are huge years in your life, and while they have the same title, they are oh so very different from each other. Here are the differences between being a senior in high school and a senior in college:

1. You're less afraid

Leaving high school meant leaving the comfort of your parents home, the students you've been with since you were in kindergarten and the hometown you know like the back of your hand. Now that you've already left home, you know what it's like to be out on your own, and it's actually pretty great. You know those people who matter that you leave behind will always be there for you, no matter where you are in the country.

2. You're concerned with money

My parents were willing to support me through college. Therefore, financial responsibility wasn't on my mind while I entered college. Now that my days of parental monetary support are beginning to dwindle, I am much more conscious of how I make and spend money.

3. You feel like an adult

While going away to college is the next step into the real world, high school seniors know they're signing up for four more years of classrooms, exams and an easy life. College seniors, however, are actually applying for jobs and entering the real world, and this finally makes you feel like an adult.

4. You cling onto less

When leaving high school, you're also leaving your childhood friends, your hometown and your family, which are things that you've only been familiar with for your whole life. The professor you've known for only one semester sophomore year of college? You can easily let him go.

5. You're more excited for what's to come

Knowing you're about to pursue a higher education isn't really that exciting. Sure, it's fun to get away from home and to go to college parties or join Greek life, but the root of college is academics. Graduating college means actually pursuing what you want to do in life, and getting paid for it. I don't know about you, but that seems a lot more exciting.

6. You feel less nostalgic

Of course your college years were amazing and completely impactful upon you and your life. However, it's so much easier to leave behind four years of your life versus the first 18 years of your life.

7. You chase your dreams, not your locality

Many high school seniors are afraid to venture far away from home. I know I originally planned to go to schools within the tri-state area in order to be a short distance from home, which would have been a huge mistake. Not many schools offer my major to the level I wanted, but now that I've ventured to another part of the country for college, I'm not afraid to do so again for my dream job.

8. You feel less pressure

There is a whole stigma around how high school seniors MUST go to college directly after high school. Everyone around you talks about where they're applying, where they want to go, where they get into. This all happens during the same time frame since applications are due around the same time. If you weren't going to school or weren't sure if you wanted to, you were definitely a minority. In college, it's much more acceptable to not have something lined up for the future. Many people know the job market is extremely difficult, and the future is open because your education is complete.

9. You think your life is starting

Your whole life has been leading up to pursuing your dream job. It felt like such a distant dream, since school was always in the way. Now, you're only a few months away from reality, which means your life is finally beginning, without anything stopping you.