The last four years have gone by in the blink of an eye, just like everyone said they would. Oddly enough, even though graduation is quickly approaching, I’m having a Kumbaya moment.

There have been countless amounts of stress and hardships throughout my college experience, but I’m more centered now than ever before. Of course there are plenty of things to worry about, such as finding a full-time position with benefits or even looking at graduate schools.

Being stressed has become second nature, but the thought of the immense change coming my way is transcendent. This is a chance to put everything I have learned to the test and see the world through educated eyes.

Higher education is something that should never be taken for granted. There have been many times when I have found myself extremely disparaged with college life. However, this is an opportunity that many people around the world do not even get to fathom.

All of the learning, all of the procrastination, and all of the ups and downs have led to this one moment. Conversely, what comes next can be a harsh reality check.

Job hunting can be daunting. The following quote from a Forbes contributor puts this experience into perspective: “Somehow you’re supposed to stand out from the hundreds of other applicants who have your exact same degree and level of experience, and all you can think of to say in your cover letter is “I’m a good problem solver.””

Tough competition is something to rarely look forward to. However, believing in one’s own abilities, strengths, and even weaknesses can automatically help anyone get a leg-up.

I have applied for jobs knowing that I’m fully capable of completing the tasks and meeting all of the qualifications. Nevertheless, all I ended up with was a nicely worded “We wish you the best in your future endeavors” email. The truth might be that there are individuals with years and years of experience ahead of me.

Regardless, I will continue to believe in my capabilities as anyone should. The previous Forbes contributor also said the following about leaving college behind: “…what nobody tells you about life after college is that everybody is just making it up as they go along.”

We’re all searching for an answer, but we might already have a cheat sheet. All of our experiences, internships, presentations, papers, speeches, and group projects are the catalyst for what is to come in our careers. Stevenson University gave us the blueprint, now is the time to start building the house (get it? Build your future).