Life after graduation

By Autumn Rendall

Graphic by Juana Garcia

A few tips on navigating life’s new commitments after graduation

After countless late nights, study sessions and hard work, you’ve finally gotten that degree you’ve been dreaming about all of college. You’ve spent years working towards this goal, but now you’ve just got one question on your mind, “Now what?”

Anxious feelings about life after graduation are completely normal. Whether you’re already missing your college friends, worried about not having a job, you don’t enjoy the one you have lined up, or you’re adjusting to the new responsibilities of being independent — you’re valid.

Here are some tips for your transition to postcollege life, and congratulations on making it here.

Social changes

With all the new people you’ve met in college, and being used to day-to-day socializing with your classmates or roommates, getting used to being more alone or to a new social environment can be difficult.

Even though the real world keeps all of us busy, make it a priority to engage with your precollege pals and still maintain your new university friendships. In the switch to a new environment, it’s comforting to know you always have true friends that are just a text away.

If you’re having to move back to your home town or perhaps you’re starting a new job in a different city, you might have to adjust to long-distance relationships. You can make the most out of these new circumstances by scheduling video chat or phone call dates, making a synced Google calendar that shows each of your schedules and events or planning a trip to see each other.

Although your social life is changing, in many ways this can be an opportunity to get to know yourself more. In your free time, you can explore new hobbies that interest you, read that book you’ve been meaning to or learn a new skill or instrument. Though it may take some getting used to, a little bit of independence can be an unexpected blessing.

Employment options

If you’re graduating without a job, or are unsure whether you’re even passionate about your current career path, you are in no way alone. Many college students are in the same boat, and graduation anxiety can stem from this dilemma.

To gain some insight into what jobs you might be interested in or a good fit for, try taking a career placement test. Also, do some research and networking to see what entry-level jobs you could work towards in your dream career.

If you have a job lined up after graduation, but you’re still unsure if you’re going to enjoy it, work to make the most out of the position you have. Try and form positive relationships with your coworkers, use your time after work to develop skills for other professions and enjoy your weekends by pursuing hobbies and spending quality time with your friends and family.

New responsibilities

Unfortunately, the wonderful freedom of finally being done with college comes with a whole other world of responsibilities. While you might have already faced some of the real world’s harsh realities, post-graduation means having to handle them head-on.

Now that you most likely won’t be using the campus gym anymore or relying on the dining hall for your meals, it’s up to you to stay active, eat healthily and take care of yourself. It’s also important to have a healthy sense of financial literacy as you prepare to start your career, rely on yourself for insurance and pay your own bills.

Leave reminders for yourself about chores or other duties you need to take care of, work on making responsible health choices and do some research on how to properly manage your expenses.

Even though you’re in a different phase in your life, you can still handle anything the world decides to throw at you. It might take some time and adjustments, but be kind to yourself, and this transition will be over before you know it.