What’s Next?
One of the most common questions I’ve been getting recently is “so what’s your plan?” and “what’s next?” Who would’ve thought that those six words would scare every nerve in my body? As I even type this blog post, all of my thoughts for the past 48 hours have been about what my next move is in school and after graduation. But this has not been only me thinking this, but all of my friends have also been thinking the same thing. The biggest fear for most people approaching the end of their college career is that there are no guarantees in the job market. So many students work tirelessly while taking classes on building connections and gaining experience in their respective fields, but for most, that does not guarantee a job.
Graduation is supposed to feel like a finish line, but lately it feels more like standing at the edge of a huge cliff, not knowing if I have a parashoote attached. I feel like I have every opportunity available to myself, but nothing at the same time. Graduating is the end of one of the longest eras of my life, my schooling years, but I see it as a time when my life starts over. There’s this shared pressure that comes with nearing the end of college, the idea that we’re supposed to have everything figured out by now, when in reality, so many of us are still trying to piece it together.till, I’m starting to realize that maybe that’s the point. Maybe not knowing is part of the process. Graduating isn’t just the end of one of the longest eras of my life; it's also the beginning of what I've been working towards for over twenty years.
The truth is, I still don't have all the answers, and that's okay. While the question "What's next?" continues to linger in the back of my mind, I've realized that not having every detail figured out doesn't mean I'm falling behind. It means I'm growing, exploring, and learning what path is right for me. As graduation gets closer, the uncertainty can be intimidating, but it can also be exciting. For now, I'm choosing to trust the process, embrace the opportunities that come my way, and remember that some of the best chapters of our lives begin with not knowing exactly how the story will unfold.
