When I started college last year, I was ahead by about 2 years. I took college classes when I was in high school so I came into my first year of university as a junior in college. I have always been aware that I would graduate early, but it never really clicked/processed until recently when I met with my advisor and I saw how much I actually have left. It all depends on how I want to schedule my classes, but the earliest I would graduate would be next Fall and the latest would be Spring of next year.

I've been feeling very overwhelmed by this lately. It's been a little intimidating to know that after this, I'll be kind of thrown into the "real world" as I always have felt that after college, it's time for a career/grad school. I never really put it all into perspective until now and I feel like my life has been put on flash forward and it's moving without me. I feel like maybe I'm not ready for this...I can't really explain how I feel besides overwhelmed.

I was wondering if anyone might have anything helpful to say, since I feel like I'm losing sleep over this lol. I know there isn't much to say, but anything to calm my nerves would help. I know that a lot of it is the fact that most people my age aren't worrying about grad school and careers and such..and here I am preparing for it already. If anyone has any suggestions in general about grad school or anything, I gladly welcome those too.

Anywho, I know that maybe there isn't much anyone can say, but writing it out has helped already. Thank you for taking the time to read! [:

Well I think you definitely deserve some congratulations for managing to maintain such an advanced position; there is definitely some merit in that and its actually quite the feat! So excellent job for getting so far!

In regards to what to do next and how to handle it, it's definitely understandable that you are having some difficulty grappling with coming to terms what the next step may be. But you can't allow yourself to get too caught up in these feelings and thoughts; I think that is where some people stray when it comes to any major changes in their lives. Now that you've realized where you are and possible options, it's time to determine a solid set of paths, such as what grad schools would you consider, how will you manage them financially, what would your focus be in there--same goes for career or job prospects. I know it's a bit of a challenge to jump into "adulthood" like that, but the more you delay it, the worse it will be for you.

When pondering upon these things, I recommend a pen and lots of paper, as it helps to really put it all in perspective. Also, don't allow this to consume all your time! Have some fun when you can! Having these things on paper helps to also keep you on track and look at how much progress you've made and lets you know that because you've done x amount of work, you deserve a little time to go enjoy whatever you like. I believe that's something we forget as "adults" but keeping it in good practice will help you when you are in grad school and/or your career of choice.

Even though I'm not graduating just yet, I, too, am ahead, though it's only to be sure I graduate on time since my course load is a lot larger than the typical student. I, too, have been the odd student focusing on what is next and trying to have some ideas of possible plans to aim for and I find it a useful thought to carry in mind--keeps me focused and self-assured in what I'm doing now.

I hope this served to help in some sort of way and best of luck!

Congrats on being nearly finished! It's admirable that you've gotten this far. Pat yourself on the back. Not very many people graduate so young.

As far as goals and the future are concerned, that is entirely up to you. What sort of things do you see yourself doing? What don'tyou want to do? To echo Lunita, having at least a few possibilities on paper can help you map out a strategy and help you see how feasible each option is. If you have an advisor, or a professor/TA/faculty member you trust, you might also want to go over some of the options with them and get their feedback. The sooner you're able to brainstorm, the more time you'll have to refine your ideas and come up with solid goals before your last semester.


Having said that, I'll let you in on a little secret: there is no such thing as "adulthood". It's all a load of shit we tell each other so some of us feel superior when we compare notes. Even people who seem to have perfectly conformist lives have colossal failures, disappointments, and setbacks. Life is a mess, and most adults learn how to navigate the mess rather than turn into neat little goal achievers. There's no checklist, and no roadmaps to follow that will suddenly qualify you for the title. Some people never get there. Some get there too soon.

You don't wake up one day, put on your big girl work clothes and get in your stately big girl car and go to your "real job". You may get those things, and I sincerely hope that you do. But if it doesn't go as you expected (and there will always be something unexpected), it's not the end of the world, and it needn't always reflect on you as a person if you need to shift gears. Setting your sights high is a great motivator, but only if you don't turn it into a ball and chain that weighs you down emotionally if you fall short of it.

Work hard and do your best. Plan as far ahead as you can, financially and professionally, but don't let that plan run your life. And certainly don't plan according to what other people think your life should be.

Thank you for the replies and sorry for my reply being so late! I've been really busy with school and finals and other things. I have been thinking a lot about my options, and I'm still thinking. I did talk to my TA and she was really helpful since she's gone through this process before, and still is. I still feel a little overwhelmed (or a lot) but I'm just taking things as they come, one quarter at a time. While I know my time is limited, I also know that things will work out how they are supposed to. Thank you for all the support, and again, sorry for the late reply. Good luck on finals and if they passed, I hope you did well on them