Where Do I Start?

I'd just like to start off by saying that as much as I LOVE writing, I have an incredibly hard time organizing my thoughts sometimes.  My attention span is very short, and I often find myself bouncing back and forth between sheets of paper, adding to thoughts piece by piece, rather than just finishing one topic before moving on to the other. That's why I've found it useful (in many areas of my life) to think through list-writing.  As a student getting ready to graduate, I've found my self reflecting and worrying about everything imaginable, and I'm sure this stress will continue to build.  So, I've created a list of the top 5 things (in no particular order) that I (or any typical college senior) worry about as the thought of entering the "real world" looms closer and closer.

1. Living Situations The fact that many of us don't exactly know where we're going to be living come June is completely daunting.  While I'm relieved to not have to partake in this year's game of "Fordham-opoly," there was definitely some comfort in knowing that my housing fees were covered for 9 months out of the year, and there was never any inconvenience in having to go home at the end of each semester.  But let's face it, commuting from my childhood home to (hopefully) working in New York City is emotionally and financially torturous, and shouldn't graduating college be the time for me to completely spread my wings and move out of my parents' house?

2. Job or No Job? Okay, so maybe this one's the most obvious, but it's also probably the most true.  If I don't have a job after graduation, then worry #1 will be invalid.  I will be forever living at home.  No questions asked.

3. Moving Out So if worry #2 goes away by getting a post-grad career that pays above minimum wage, the idea of moving out (although necessary) is really scary!  What am I going to do without being able to see my dogs (and my parents too, I guess) on a regular basis?!? Who's going to wake me up if I sleep through my alarm?!?  Up until now, my roommate has graciously become my pseudo-mother by taking over alarm clock duty.

4. Basic Life Skills That I've Somehow Gone 21 Years Without Learning I almost forgot, I have to pay taxes next year.  How do I pay taxes?  How do I change a tire?  There are endless things that I just don't know, and I feel like all adults do know.  I know, I can just Google it, but I feel like there should have been a class to teach me these things!  I won't feel like a true grown-up until I've learned how to fold a fitted sheet.

5. Making the Most of the Next 15 Weeks Wait, there are only 15 weeks left of college?  Yeah, pretty much.  Did I go to EVERY iconic off-campus restaurant?  Have I fully taken advantage of going to college parties?  But did I also make sure to absorb all of the academic information thrown my way over the last 4 years?  What about community service?  There won't be much time for community service when I have a "real" job!   My point is, how am I supposed to make sure that I've done "enough" of everything before putting on my cap and gown?