<p>So, last year of college.
The professor and I are writing up my second paper. I'm preparing to go to a winter school - as a lecturer. I've signed my second book contract and am my first book will be in the stores in October.
And I just turned freaking 21. I don't even have any kind of degree or whatever.</p>
<p>I do not want to sound arrogant. I do not want to come across as someone who wants to show off. But I figured cc is the place where I could possibly find someone in my situation.</p>
<p>I'm scared. Hell, I'm terrified. </p>
<p>All around me, people are doing "normal" college stuff, like internships and parties and dating and whatever, and I do the same, but for some reason my life seems to be totally different. Yes, I work hard, maybe harder than the others. Yes, I'm ambitious as hell, and I grab all the chances and opportunities I get. </p>
<p>A part of me is really happy about how my life goes.</p>
<p>Another part of me, however, tells me that this is all going too fast, and that I am supposed to be a normal kid and be irresponsible and enjoy life and whatever. I tackle challenges and barely manage to do something, and then the next thing comes, a bit bigger, and I fight a little harder, and then the next thing..</p>
<p>How do you deal with this? With the success? The expectations? The - "jeez, you are UNDERGRADUATE?" moments? The fact that some things are just too easy? The moments when you can barely breathe, because everything around you is just too big?</p>
<p>Wow, generally the most difficult things I deal with are figuring out what cigarettes to buy or what alcohol to drink. Maybe what song to play on Rock Band or which friends to hang out with.</p>
<p>Anyway I’d just accept the fact that you’re doing pretty well in life by most people’s standards, hell I wouldn’t mind being in your position.</p>
<p>Essentially, your problem is that you feel out of place? I’m attempting to sift through your words.</p>
<p>Hm. I would suggest that you take some time out to do things you like - maybe read a book, go out with friends, etc. A bit of down time might do you some good?</p>
<p>I know how you feel, at least to some degree. I’m a sophomore who has three years of lab experience and a publication, as well as another internship which I’m pretty well recognized among certain groups thanks to it, along with a host of other things. And I just turned 18. Lots of people either put me in the category of brilliant hero or antisocial idiot. [I’m most definitely neither.] I’m stressed out a lot because I take a heavy course load while working two jobs. To balance it out, I take courses to get a minor in something that relaxes me [theatre] and goof off a lot. Yes, I procrastinate when it won’t hurt me. Yes, I play around with friends. No, I don’t party/drink/do drugs, but I sure as hell will make time to accomplish things that make me feel good. And if people start treating me like a hero, I ignore it because I never want to be held to such an incredibly high standard that I’d let everyone down.</p>