My life as I know it now will soon be over. This is my senior year and I'm getting ready to take that huge step for which most teenagers my age are preparing themselves. That's right, college.

I have many fears and questions about going off to college. Like, where will I go to college? What will I choose as a major? Can I keep my grades up? Do I even have enough money to go to college? With questions like these racing through my mind, how can my teachers possibly expect me to do homework? How dare they occupy our brains with details such as homework when we're trying to select colleges?

Going off to college reminds me of my first day in kindergarten. I made my mommy go in with me. Who could blame me, I didn't know what type of little monsters I would meet. I was so scared and frightened! I couldn't understand what was wrong with my mother that she thought I had to come to this horrible place. Nevertheless, after I calmed down and finally peeked from behind her legs, I saw eleven other kids peeking around the legs of their parents. Who would have thought, others just like me? After a while, we all started playing together. Careful, cautious, and still a bit frightened, but then friends.

At least I can say I did find a really great reward and an important lesson after all the stress of my first day ... lifelong friends and the courage to face change head-on, no matter how frightened I may be. So, with that in mind, I prepare myself even more for the changes that have yet to come. I just pray that these years are as great and fulfilling as the ones I'm leaving behind. v