It's about that time of year again for seniors; graduation is about two months away and the obligation to grow up is upon them.

Some will be joining the real world of business suits, cubicles and cases of the Mondays or attending graduate school for some extra education.

But, for students like Alicia McAllister (senior-psychology), floral arrangements are more likely to be on her mind: She's planning a wedding.

"I know that I'm 22 and that's young, but it's not weird for me," McAllister said. "It's just the next step. We just want to do it already."

While concerns of age and preparation are typical reactions to youthful engagements, McAllister said she and her fiancée are "completely prepared" for their future endeavor.

"I'm graduating in May, and we already have a place to live," she said. "It's just nice to know what is in store for my future and who I will spend the rest of my life with."

But, before their Sept. 8 wedding day rolls around, the arduous deed of grasping the concepts of growing up, in addition to trying to grasp the surreal concept of living happily ever after, are here.

"No one was really shocked about the news, but everyone just said, 'Wow, you're getting married? I feel so old,' " she said.

Nancy Tuana, professor of philosophy and women's studies, said the trepidation behind being a full-time student and trying to plan a future is common today, especially if planning a wedding is involved.

"A far greater number of women move into the workforce," Tuana said. "And more women are waiting to be older and more established in their job -- but there are some trying to juggle that and starting a family at the same time."

Regardless of the path students choose, Tuana said, it will be difficult either way, even if waiting to be more economically stable.

McAllister isn't the only one who will be planning a wedding after graduation. Johanna Krajack (sophomore-Spanish education) said she will have to start thinking about color coordination for the gowns during her senior year as well.

"I'm a little nervous because I will be a full-time student when I'm planning my wedding," Krajack said. "And I know it can be one of the most stressful times."

And even though the 20-year-old still has two more years of school, she said she also has to deal with finding a job after she leaves Penn State on top of planning a wedding.

"It's going to be hard," she said. "He'll still be in medical school, and I just hope that in my field I will be able to get a job right away."

The excitement of planning what the future holds is the best part of being young, Ellie Hollabaugh (senior-agriculture business management and Spanish), 21, said.

"We both have jobs lined up when we graduate," Hollabaugh said. "We're just in the process of planning a wedding and finding a place to live; it's so exciting."

The couple, who met their sophomore year in a club through the College of Agricultural Sciences, is looking for a home in the Gettysburg area and is eagerly awaiting their April 2007 wedding, she said.

Katie Hayes (junior-international politics), 20, who will be married the June after her graduation, said her fiancée popped the question this Valentine's Day by re-enacting a snowed-in weekend from three years ago where they had their first kiss over a game of hangman.

"He decorated a room like winter with fake snow and built an igloo like we did three years ago," Hayes said. "I saw a game of hangman and it spelled out MARRY ME."

While the engagement was right out of a movie, in real life, not everyone is lucky enough to have wedding planners like Jennifer Lopez dealing with the elaborate details; so, the months or years that go into the event can scare some.

Hayes said she's not one of them.

"Being in the real world scares me more than being married," Hayes said. "We're ready to spend the rest of our lives together."