“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

When I was 8, I wanted to be a ballerina. The next day, I wanted to be President. Two weeks later? I was definitely going to be a full-time cheerleader.

I had it all figured out”¦or so I thought.

Now, that question has morphed into, “What are you doing after you graduate?”

And here I am–on the cusp where little girl dreams meet real world goals –just two weeks away from graduation, and I have no clue how to answer that. My future seems as black and unknowing as the inside of the graduation cap I’ll pick up in the Campus Center next week.

All year, I’ve tried to ignore the future’s impending arrival, shrugging off the notion that soon I’ll have to grow up. But that’s just the thing- graduation sneaks up on you. One moment, I’m making finishing touches on my tutu for a carnival freshmen year, and the next thing you know I’m receiving emails about my college debt and picking out my senior ring.

Yet, in all this change and confusion, the one thing that does make sense is the lessons I’ve learned in college. And while being able to accurately describe transhumanism (thanks, BCOR) and knowing the AP Stylebook backwards and front are important, those aren’t the lessons I’m referring to.

Thanks to the every professor who pushed me to work harder and walked beside me cheering when things got difficult and life threw its curveballs, I learned to never give up, even when the world says I should.

The numerous late-night study sessions that turned into deep heart-to-hearts taught me that sometimes relationships are more important than success.

Through the friends who laughed and cried with me, wore countless tutus and way too big hair bows with me, made so many mistakes (and just as many successes) with me, drank gallons of coffee at Mezamiz Coffee Shop with me, and stood by my side no matter what, I learned the true value of God’s love and made friendships I’ll keep a lifetime.

So, in two weeks, as I turn in my oversized purple hair bows for a diploma and my membership in Alpha Kai for a big-girl job, things become a bit clearer.

I may not know where I’m headed or how to answer the fateful question of who I want to be when I grow up, but thanks to my time here, I do know who I’ve become.

And with that, I can confidently say goodbye to ACU and step into the next chapter of my journey prepared by the lessons I’ve learned for whatever the big, scary future holds for me.