This weekend, my Keep Calm Page-a-Day calendar provided some interesting insight: “My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just to enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate.” I must agree with Thornton Wilder, ice cream is great. Who doesn’t love ice cream?  For my lactose tolerant friends, ice cream is a joy unlike any other, with or without toppings. Of course, melted ice cream is magical in itself, but I’m guessing that our friend Wilder is hinting towards a bigger metaphor. Perhaps one of life. But I could be wrong since we never really became close friends. Time for a confession that will become permanent through the magic of print: I have an irrational fear of the future. There, I said it. I am afraid of all the horrible things that can go wrong (Murphy’s Law, anyone?). With at least 40% of marriages ending in a divorce (divorcerate.org, and yes, that is an actual website), a thousand and one things that can go wrong with childbirth and all of the impending tragedies that can occur at any time, I’m secretly a nervous wreck. What would I do if I don’t have money for a car? What happens if the Internet shuts down globally for a day? And what in God’s name would the world do if newspapers stop printing on paper? Such stuff as nightmares are made on.   I delved into a few of my fears over winter break with my mother. Despite reminding me that I am slowly losing whatever was left of my sanity, Mom came up with a good response: “You’ll deal with it as it comes.” Since moms always know best, I pondered on this statement.  I worry about things that I shouldn’t even be thinking about. Whatever is meant to happen will happen, with or without my consent. So, the best thing I can do is deal with whatever is currently in my control.  This, of course, is easier said than done. In a few months, I will be a senior (further noted as “the s-word”) and have to worry about the real world. College is a wonderfully protected little shell that keeps us safe from things like full-time jobs, mortgages and car insurance. It’s a perfect little cocoon of a carefree lifestyle. But by the time you’re a s-word, these things become an impending doom, unless you want to continue avoiding life by going for further studies, which is an excellent idea.  Though planning is a wonderful thing, there is a fine line between preparing and going crazy.  Granted, I may not know where this line actually exists, but I am borderline obsessive over things that may or may not happen. Silly and impractical? Yes. Waste of time and energy? Of course. Totally rational at the time? Obviously. And so, this brings me back to Wilder. The ice cream is on the plate, and that delicious goodness is melting, my friends. Don’t worry about the things you cannot control—they are bound to happen. Instead, revel in the greatness of being a college student and not worrying about silly things like taxes and home insurance. Because let’s be serious, there’s nothing sadder than wasted ice cream.     To contact The Ionian’s Ranisha Singh, e-mail her at [email protected]