So you graduated high school. Count me in as another person to congratulate the class of 2016 on their accomplishments. But let me also say: welcome to the real world.
The immense high that you’re on right now? The excitement and overflowing pride you feel? Take a second to do everything you can to remember it. All of the hard work you put into college applications, college visits, ACT and SAT scores, scholarship essays and your first time using FAFSA? Pat yourself on the back. You deserve to cherish this moment of a thousand congratulatory wishes alongside the fun and relaxation that summer brings. However, your next chapter is around the corner and just know that it isn’t going to be easy.
Theodore Roosevelt said, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty.” If you’ve ever come across this quote or any variation of it, know that these are some of the truest words ever put together. Especially when it comes to graduating high school and shipping yourself off to college.
Let me also mention: this article isn’t meant for you to beg mom and dad to let you live with them forever. It’s not meant to scare you out of the decisions you’ve already made or drop out of college before you even get there. But understand that whether you loved high school or flat out hated it, it’ll have been some of your easiest years. Heading out into the real world becomes more and more worth it each day though. Take a few tips from me:
Work hard
It’s probably the last thing you want to hear especially after all of the work you just put into getting into college, right? Right. I hate to break it to you though, you’re going to have to get used to it. The second you took on your first job in high school, you essentially signed life away to the concept of working. But it all goes back to the quote I shared above: nothing worth having comes easy. You’re going to have to work for it and work hard. The key is to work hard for what you want along with achieving balance. Nobody says you can’t party or take some time to yourself but getting your bachelor’s degree becomes your next goal. Adding a job/internship/co-op only becomes an added bonus in terms of finances as well as your career goals. When I started college, I was working at a McDonald’s 40 hours a week while being in college full-time and living with my mom and brother. As time went on I took time out from college, worked at a call center for six months, and now work for an IT company (and I’m back in college!) Not to mention, I now live in my own apartment, have a car and pay my bills. In the long run however, none of these things came to me without the work ethic I have.
Do what makes you happy
Going off of the examples of what mom and dad pursued in college can be a good start, but don’t make it your only option. While time and money can be tight, don’t be afraid to try your hand in classes that sound interesting to you. These are very easily guiding points in figuring out what you want to do in the long run. There are some who already have it figured out and will end up running the entire course in college because it’s been a dream of theirs from the start. When I started out, I was planning on being in the pre-pharmacy (chemistry major) program at school with hopes of doing pharmacy school elsewhere and doing cancer research in a local children’s hospital. Someone should have taken me by the shoulders and tried to knock some sense into me because I’ve never been great at science – ever.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to go undeclared and just worry about gen ed courses. Of course, stubborn college freshman Natalie didn’t want to listen but if I could go back and change it, I would. As tedious and annoying as these courses can be sometimes, they can help weed out what you’re interested in and what you’re not interested in.
On top of pursuing what makes you happy, take breaks. If you need to do something small like taking a 10-20 minute walk somewhere, do it. If it’s something bigger like taking a semester or year off of school, this is understandable too. Life will throw you all kinds of things – big and small – and it’s always a good thing to take steps back and evaluate everything that’s going on.
Use your money wisely
Becoming a college student is like joining a club. Or being a part of some mystery aesthetic. Although they define aesthetics as being pleasing and the majority of us don’t really enjoy being broke. Some of us are lucky enough to have parents that will transfer money in our accounts from time to time. The rest of us do not. This brings me back to my first point about working hard. Getting a job helps in terms of money along with other skills such as time management and work ethic.
Another point as far as using money wisely is buy your own food. Go the grocery store and don’t be ashamed of packs of ramen noodles or 10 for $10 deals in the frozen aisle. I can tell you right now that this is something I easily live by. It’s best if you can get fruits and veggies and things to make sandwiches for lunch but there is also no shame in getting to-go items or things that only cost you $0.20 to a $1.00. This won’t be your diet forever and chances are your parents lived by these deals too. If you have a few extra dollars to spend on a pizza or a meal out, treat yourself! Just don’t make it an everyday thing.
Know your resources
When money is tight – look into organizations/pantries that your school might have. Look into local food pantries around your area. Still don’t know what you want to major in? Talk to your advisor. Talking to a career advisor at your school. Chat with your professors after class. Need a band-aid, Tylenol, or someone to talk to? Head over to the health center at your school. Need scholarly research for a paper? Your library is a great place to go. Chances are they could also have a database with books online to find citations from too. Need to make an organized works cited page? Check out www.bibme.org or www.easybib.com. Taking a math class when the school year starts? There’s mathway.com! Lock your keys in your car or need it jumped? Have the number for campus police on hand.
Whatever the issue may be, there’s a solution. Not to mention, we’re the generation of the internet. Sure we’re constantly criticized for looking at our phones every second we get or for browsing the internet too much but it can also be put to great use. If you’re ever looking for tips or help on things, search tumblr for masterposts and see what hacks you can find to make your life a little easier. I tend to save each on the I come across that might be helpful for me later.
Network
It can be hard sometimes talking to people, especially if you find yourself in a new territory with new faces. Nobody is saying to take every opportunity/job as soon as you start college. The first year or two should be used to familiarize yourself. Figure out what makes you comfortable and uncomfortable. But as you’re doing these things, keep certain professors or contacts in mind. Go to major/minor fairs or career fairs. Keep the cards from the contacts you come across and use them to your advantage later. If your school has a site up for a job/internship/co-op database, post your resume and look at what’s posted to keep in mind for later. Converse with professors in your major and ask them questions about careers if you need to. Ask if they have any contacts or tips on getting the internship you want or ideas as far as companies to work for.
It seems like a lot and it can be overwhelming at times but college will becomes one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have. If reading this alone makes you feel overwhelmed, take all of the time you can to enjoy your summer but take my advice when school comes around the corner. Get ready to enjoy these next four years of your life and know you aren’t in this alone.
Welcome to the real world, kid.
