For the past 18 years, I’ve always had the same expected ritual at the beginning of September. It almost always happened on a Tuesday, but sometimes it happened on September 1st, sometimes September 7th and one time even September 18th (my birthday!). And this year marked the final year of this ritual. My last first day of school…ever.

Now I rode this wave of nostalgia four years ago, during my last first day of high school, but this is the big league we’re talking about, the Mavericks, because after this I’ll be done with school, with paid education, forever. (At least, this is what my 20-year-old self is telling myself). Who knows, I might be 70-years-old, unsatisfied with my life, and enroll in classes to get an MBA…in procrastination of course.

Anyways, when you take the time (or in my case have too much free time and are forced to) think about this day, you truly realize how significant it is. I’m one step closer to finishing a journey I’ve been on for most of my life. Education is a gift and a blessing and something that most people in the world are not as fortunate enough to have. And while I’ve been one of those students who complain about setting an alarm, writing an essay, listening to a teacher drone on about their life, studying for a test etc., I really do appreciate it.

I can’t remember a time where I haven’t referred to myself as a student. Sure titles like, “part time sales associate” and “intern” have come and gone, but the one most consistent thing in my life has always been school.

For once, my future is unknown. I truly don’t know where I’ll be next September. Working a full-time job? Travelling the world? Living in a huge city? Still stuck at my parents house? There’s so much possibility and so much uncertainty and the thing that scares me the most is that I’m okay with it all. I’m okay with not knowing, and I’m excited to find out.

Happy last first day of school fellow university/college seniors who don’t plan on post-grad or a masters or a Ph.D like me. (Give me a break, I’m a Journalism major, and in my field experience is worth more okay!)