Moments before my grandfather died, my uncle and father were in his room as he lay on his bed, barely able to speak or move because of how weak he was. We had known his health was declining for some time now, but it was a lucky coincidence that my uncle decided to come all the way to Illinois from Wyoming to pay him a visit.

As soon as my grandfather’s condition became more apparent, both my uncle and father knew this would probably be the last moments they spent with him. While in the room, my grandfather’s last words came when he motioned his boys to lean in. He had barely enough strength to whisper, so when they leaned in, he motioned them to lean in more. He struggled at first, but as they leaned he said in a whisper, “I think I just sh*t myself.”

Upon graduating, I feel much of the same. Oftentimes we want some sort of official closure or statement that somehow magically wraps up the chapter of life we are about to finish, but what else can you think besides, “Man, it’s been a crazy ride. I think I just sh*t myself.”

Some of the milestones we achieve seem like they are supposed to build up to this big momentous occasion that all of sudden defines ourselves in a new light.

Do I turn on the switch from college mode to young working adult now? Or hasn’t my experience in college and who I’ve become in college slowly but surely transformed me already?

I guess what I’m getting at is that leaving your comfort zone, whether it is college or even life for that matter, is always scary and analyzing the hell out of it probably just makes it more confusing and worse, even though that’s exactly what this column is doing.

I don’t expect any new revelation or profound enlightenment to occur upon graduating. Those sorts of things have taken time throughout my experience here.

So to those with years to go at NIU, I just know you should learn a lot while you are here. It is school; that’s what you are supposed to do. Experience all you can while you are this elastic, sleep-deprived, unhealthy, adaptive being called a college student. When else in your life will you have Fridays off for three and a half months? You have so much time! Also, don’t shoot anyone. Come on, just don’t. It’s hateful.

Keep your faith in people, in NIU, DeKalb, the U.S. and the whole world. Optimism goes a long way. And when you have your doubts, when things are getting you down, try to keep your humor and realize those things just won’t stop coming.

To those of us about to venture into the daunting reality of adulthood, though, I offer my final and, really, only guaranteed advice for the next chapter: buy a new pair of nice slacks. You might just sh*t yourself.