Hi Megan and welcome! Breather is so right when he tells you that every quit is individual. Yes we all have commanalities, but on the whole we all find a way that works for us.
I did a cut down, before I made the final commitment to quit. I was a little like you, apprehensive about how I was going to cope with the cravings and the withdrawal, and for that reason I kept postponing the actual 'day'!!
I think my cut down lasted 4 or 5 weeks believe it or not! and then one day out of the blue, I just slapped on a patch, thinking lets see what happens if it works it works if it dont it dont.
That was almost a year ago Megan, and please believe me when I say I am very very lucky and I know it because from that day I never desired another cigarette, no withdrawal, no cravings. Yes, I had psychological things to deal with like change of routine, and physical symptoms from the patches such as nausea, bizarre (but fun) dreams. But as for cravings, didn't happen.
I truly believe my experience was a combination of my determination to quit, my patches and this site the SSC.
I know what happened to me is rare but you might have the same or similar experience, it may not be as bad you think its going to be, and you are so young. You have time to more or less undo any damage you might have done already. My biggest regret is not doing this years ago when I was young like you. Good Luck Megan I for one will be supporting you.
My Milage:My Quit Date: 5/10/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 334
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 8,350
Amount Saved: $5,010.00
Life Gained:Days: 39
Hrs: 9
Mins: 55
Seconds: 35