Scared and confused

So i recently turned 21 and thus got my first pap smear! Well today they called and said they found abnormal cells and i’ll need a repeat test in a year. My question is why so long of a wait? Is that good sign that it can’t be serious? Is there anything i can do or tests they can run in the meantime to get answers and rule anything sinister out? I’m just worried because i have been having pain and semi frequent spotting with intercourse the last several months and STD/tears/infections were all ruled out and it’s continued. Do you think the spotting/pain and abnormal result are related? I just don’t know what to think or do from here and i’m scared of waiting a year for it to be something serious. Any input, advice or personal experience is super helpful, trying to put my mind at ease.