by Jamila Williams

Living in college is like living in a world with one foot in the water and the other on the sand—you can diddle and daddle in both worlds but when things get too real, you can instantly get back on dry land. So for nearly four years I’ve been safely walking alongside the shore and whenever I’ve happened to get in the water a little too deep a simple SOS call has always gotten me safely back on shore.

Whether it be an advisor, my mom or another family member I’ve always been saved before things got too real for me. Despite the constant evening news reports on the current state our economy, all of it in essence has went in one ear and out the other. As a college student, you believe those things don’t apply to you and are of no concern until you become a real adult, finally walking away from your life lines. Sure, the spike in gas prices meant less trips home on weekends and sometimes a trip to the grocery store can be mind boggling to see your favorite snack increasing in price every week. But in the back of my mind I always had that security cushion that if something goes wrong, push comes to shove my family would have my back no matter what. Until recently.

Following an appointment with my academic advisor, he informed me of the fact that I would be graduating earlier than expected—a whole six months to be exact. I didn’t know if I should be glad or sad. Finally, all my hard would pay off in the form of a degree that said I was a bona fide journalist with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the industry. But at the same time my advisor warned me of the crumbling economy and barely there job market. I left his office torn with the tough decision I would have to make. On one hand I have the opportunity to see my dreams of becoming a college grad come true and on the other the chance to live carefree for just another six months longer. How can I even celebrate an early graduation with an economy that’s on the brink of collapsing?

In times like these, everyone is suffering. It isn’t just the auto makers and Fortune 500 companies that need a bailout. Everyone does! And I unfortunately will have to learn the hard way—diving head first in without a life jacket or single lifesaver in sight.