When staring down an uncertain path that’s not fully figured out yet, being asked about it — over and over — can feel like a stab at your anxieties and uncertainty. Each inquiry starts reflecting your doubts, and each polite smile, awkward pause or forced answer becomes a reminder that you’re supposed to have answers that you simply don’t — at least not yet.

Kids these days just sit on their tushies and complain about tens of thousands of dollars of student loans. I’ll tell you right now, all they have to do is raise a mule from infancy, suckle it themselves, and their school would happily exchange that for a degree, just like mine.

I have a love-hate relationship with cover letters for job applications. Frankly, it’s mostly hate, but I am warming up to them. Job searching is tough as it is, and curating a personalized letter for almost every job is tiring.

After descending Cardiac Hill one last time, Pitt seniors will venture into the real world, facing a daunting economy and student debt. The first summer after college represents a career kickstart for some, while others unwind and reflect on their lives to come.