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Q: Dear Bestie,
I’m in my last semester of college, and I feel like I should have everything figured out by now—but I don’t. Everyone around me seems to have job offers, grad school plans, or at least a direction. Meanwhile, I’m just trying to survive my final classes and not panic about the future. How do I stop feeling like I’m falling behind?
—Lost in the Senior Spiral
A: Hey Lost,
First, take a deep breath, seriously. You’re not behind, you’re on your timeline, not anyone else’s. Comparison is the thief of joy, and let’s be real, half the people flexing their plans now will pivot six months in. The best thing you can do is focus on what you want. Not what your friends are doing, not what your professors expect, but what excites you? Start there. Also, networking isn’t just for job hunting: talk to alumni, professors, or even your friends’ cool cousins. Doors open when you least expect it. You’re not lost, you’re just at the start of the next adventure.
—Bestie