Today I got a text message about a bachelorette party that sent me into existential-crisis-panic-mode. I’m pretty sure this is not a normal reaction to such a text. (FYI: I’m quite excited for this bachelorette party and to be a bridesmaid for one of my best friends.) It was the proposed date of the party that scared me: August 2015.

You know what I should be doing in August? Packing, finishing up an internship, enjoying the last home-cooked meals before I return to dining halls… But not this August. I don’t know what I’ll be doing in August 2015. For the last 16 years of my life August has always meant “BACK TO SCHOOL PREP” until this year.

I know I’m not the only senior who feels this way. In fact, I’ve talked to a different senior every day for the past week about these feelings. However, I’ve spent most of those conversations being the consoling friend assuring them, “You can do this.” “It’s going to work out, no matter what.” “You’ll find something soon!” “Whatever, you were too good for that job anyway.” “Isn’t it kind of fun that the world is full of possibilities?”

Well, friends, I am here to tell you that I think I might’ve been a little too casual with my responses. It’s absolutely terrifying.

But at least red pandas feel it too. (Source: forGIFs.com)

Don’t get me wrong, I still think we can do this (because we have to). It really is going to work out (what other choice do we have?!). We will find the perfect job (and if not, maybe the next one will be it!). You were definitely too good for that job (because you’re brilliant and it’s ridiculous that you didn’t get it). And there are definitely a lot of exciting possibilities (TOO. MANY. CHOICES.).

But we get to be terrified in the process.

I’m realizing that now is an ok time to be terrified, because it’s way better to be scared and confused in a place that feel relatively safe, in a place we can ask for help and guidance. We’re surrounded by resources. We can go cry to a counselor in a CP&R appointment; don’t worry, we all do it and it helps. We can talk to our professors; rumor has it, they do more than just assign readings and grade essays. We can ask around campus about recommendations and connections; apparently this is called “networking” in the Real World, but here it’s called “lunch at Malott while I wear sweats.”

Lastly, we can talk to each other. That’s my favorite option because we all get it. And because it gives us an opportunity to remind each other that we’re going to stick it out together. We’ll be there to help each other begin a new life, just like we did when we met here three and a half years ago. We really can do this, and I think being scared is part of the process.