24.

In about 14 hours I'll be 24-years-old.

In 8 days I'll be attending the final critique in Alternative Photography. It will be my last undergrad critique ever.

In 10 days I'll be graduating from the University of South Alabama with a BFA in Graphic Design (Photography minor).

I'm trying not to freak out at the thought of the whole new world that'll be opening up. I've been a student practically all my life, probably about 22 years, including pre-school. (I went to an awesome pre-school.) I will be completely out of my comfort zone of an academic environment. Must. Not. Freak. Out.

*Sigh* I'm ok. It's like getting a fresh start. I'm just most nervous about being in an unfamiliar environment. And I'm realizing that that's ok, as long as I'm willing to learn and adapt.

I picked up my graduation announcements yesterday. My cap & gown will be in next week. College graduation is kind of a big deal in my family, but I guess I haven't really considered the significance. All my life I've known I'd get to this point, or rather, it was understood in my family that that's what me and my sister's would eventually accomplish. That has a lot to do with my socio-cultural background, some generations feeling that a college degree is the only way to have an sort of status. I don't agree with it, but college is good for me personally.

I feel a ramble coming on. . . Anyway. Lots of changes all at once for me. All I can do is smile and embrace the braces.