one month left

One month left....

It almost feels like a death sentence, but I promise it's not. Just one more month left of college. One month left in Athens. One month left of the life we have only known for four years. One month left to live in the same building, apartment, house, city, and state with your friends. One month left to make memories. Four more Thursdays of casual drinks at the local bar that you continue to go back to. In one month, your life will look completely different. Your room will be empty, your roommates are no longer your roommates, and you no longer ship packages to your college home. I don't know about you, but when I pack everything I own into one car, it feels very unsettling. You may not know where you are working or living yet, but you are not alone. While I have been fortunate to feel some sense of security in post-grad plans, I am still so uncertain in what the next phase of life will truly look like. I wish I could flash forward to October for just a brief moment and see what law school is going to be like, what going out to bars looks like, or even dinners in the city. What is my new normal? I have no idea. But, what I do know is how beautiful it has been to experience these last four years with my best friends in Athens. I always say this but nostalgia may be the first thing that kills me. I feel like I am constantly playing a movie of the past four years in my head. It is comfortable, it is beautiful, I am well-adjusted, and I do not want to leave. Mind you, I have had this opinion change as often as I do laundry. One moment I am thrilled to leave a college city, and the next I am hanging on for dear life. What actually is going on? I wish I could tell you, but I have no idea how to truly grasp this. If this is you as well, maybe this can help.

We cannot stay in a place of comfort forever. Change occurs in the unknown. Think of this - your very first day of classes in college. On my first day, I had a class that was about a 25 minute walk and I had 20 minutes to get there. The weather was thick August Georgia heat, so I figured I would take the bus. I had absolutely no clue how to work the bus schedule or the app, and I was too cool to ask for help. Therefore, I got on a random bus and just held my breath. Well, I ended up on the opposite side of campus and completely missed class. That bus went around in circles and I finally got off and walked home. My overweight backpack and I sweat the 35 minutes back up the hill to my dorm room and cried the entire rest of the day. Locked myself in the lofted bed, shut the lights off, and thought I was completely alone at this college. I was begging my parents to come pick me up. I thought I made a mistake going to school so far away from home (spoiler: it was the best decision I ever made).

My first day of class horror story would never happen to me today. I know this town like the back of my hand. I know where all my classes are, I know the bus schedule, I have been to almost every restaurant, bar, and study spot, and I have friends I can call to help me in any situation. A place I once felt like I would never learn became home. I adjusted completely (like we all did).

We just need to adjust to the future. It always works out. You are never meant to walk through a door that is not open for you. We are ready. As unready as we may feel - we are prepared for whatever is on the other side of our next door. We have adjustments to make along the way, and moments of chaos and discomfort, but like I said, change occurs in the unknown.

There is always another chapter of our book to read - and I am trying to prepare for the next chapter. However, in the mean time, let's make this last chapter of college a great read. Do something you always wanted to do, see your friends every chance you get, go to class for the last time (or don't), it doesn't matter! There is no right way to go about this last month, just as long as you finish this chapter as something you will be proud of - and something awesome to look back on. Our next door awaits.

One month left until the rest of our lives! Enjoy it!

Your fellow college senior,

Jane