You've Graduated...Now What?
Picture it, you just walked across the stage after hearing your name called out (probably butchered by the announcer) and you shake the hand of the president of your university as they hand you our college degree. You feel on top of the world like you could do anything, like all those 4 to 5 years of hour-long lectures, heinous group projects, and deathly finals have finally paid off. And then the novelty wears off and you realized that there is life after college. So now you are asking yourself the question of "Now what?" Well, maybe I can help you out.
Don't get stuck in a rut
I think one of the biggest mistakes we can possibly make post-grad is getting stuck in a rut. Yeah, it's nice that we finally have the time to actually sleep an be human for a couple of minutes without the threat of an 8 a.m. class looming in the distance, but don't spend your days sleeping and watching Netflix all day. Like that is fine for a day or two, but don't make that a week-long habit. Instead, do the things that you haven't had time to. Read that book that you've been putting off for the past 4 years, go and take some time and travel a little bit, start a blog, do something that keeps you fulfilled and motivated.
The struggle of a Job Search
Some people graduate with jobs already lined up for them, which is great for them, but I guarantee that about 80% of us college grads are jobless. Finding a job is a struggle, like an intense struggle, but don't let it get you down. You will face some rejections, and you may apply to 50 jobs before you even see a reply back from one of them. I'm here telling you though, to keep at it. We have far too much worth to accept a job that we are not passionate about, so keep trying. From one person looking to another, it will be worth it.
Take some time for yourself
You have been working towards a degree for 4 years. Yes, this is something that you have wanted for yourself, but many of us have been working hard for other reasons as well. Maybe you want to make your family proud, set a good example for others to see or set yourself up for a bright future. All of these things are great, but take some time post-grad to really focus on yourself. What do you really want to do? That's the question you should be asking yourself. Many of us are now blessed to have begun this face of our life unattached. We have no one but ourselves to worry about, so with that, take some time for YOU, and what YOU want.
