Anxiety about the future leads to quarter-life crisis

I recently had a discussion with a friend about what she called a quarter-life crisis.

Now, I know that this term may seem slightly dramatic for any­thing relating to a college stu­dent's life, but I can't help but find it relevant. And, based on discus­sion with my other friends, they also seem to find the term fitting. As a junior finishing a semester early, my graduation date is not so slowly creeping up on me.

I chose journalism as a major because I love to write, but I can't help occasionally second guessing my decision be­cause, let's face it, your career after college goes on for a very long time.

I would assume that this fear is similar to cold feet before a wedding or the anxious moment before signing a contract to become a homeowner; the unknown is over­whelming.

Recently, I've heard of numer­ous people deciding to change their majors at the last minute, question what they really want to do for the rest of their lives and stress about where they will go once college ends.

So, I am now wondering if this so called quarter-life crisis is more common than I think.

I know I am not the only college student looking graduation head on that feels this way, so I question what exactly causes us to develop anxiety about the future.

Despite the excitement that also comes with the thought of starting a new life jour­ney, the rollercoaster of emotions is hard to keep up with at times.

I think being fearful of the fu­ture is a natural reaction.

If this anxiety is natural, then it is important to figure out ways to overcome it.

Personally, thinking back to prior experiences during internships and classes that truly made me feel happy and accomplished is a way to confirm that I made the right decision in major choice.

Whatever you do, figure out what makes you happy and don't stop until you reach it.

Alexandra D'Aluisio is a junior journalism major from Scotch Plains, N.J. She can be reached at alexandra.daluisio@student.shu.edu.