Ever since my senior year of high school, I've thought "This time next year, I'll be...[fill in the blank]." For some reason, I had this idea that once I went to college I'd never see my family again, so I got really sentimental because I thought it would be my last Christmas at home. "This is the last time I'll ever hang up this ornament," etc etc. Surprise, that wasn't true at all; I've spent the past 6 Christmases pretty much the same way I always had.
But this time, I can safely say that next year will be different. This time next year, after 18 consecutive years in school, I will finally be truly on my own. This time next year, I will (hopefully) be in a job that I love that pays a real salary (!!!). This time next year, I will probably not be able to come home for 3 weeks of leisure time around the holidays.
It's scary, but I'm ready for it. I've loved every minute of my time at UNC, but after 6 years, I think it's finally time to be a big girl. I've got two big comprehensive exams in the next couple of weeks, and then the huge job hunt starts. How do you even look for a job? How do you do a real interview? Gah.
