The first month out of school is quite liberating. You are no longer turning in weekly assignments or participating in tedious discussions. Your time is fully yours and it's your choice what to do with it. So, what are you going to do? Better yet, what should you do?

For me, I made the choice to take a break for the holidays. You see, there are hardly any new job postings in December given Christmas and the New Year so I allowed myself some time to breathe after graduation. If you're still unemployed at the time of graduation, give yourself a break. Whether it's one or two weeks. Take that breather because you deserve it!

But don't let this break last too long because there is so much work to be done. You know you have to get a job, that much is clear. It's not that you're not trying hard enough. It's not that you're not qualified. The truth is that the search is a competition and everyone is out hunting. Just because you haven't had the "best of luck" doesn't mean you are not capable. And it's certainly not an excuse for you to sulk in your pajamas everyone morning waiting for the opportunity to come to you. It's just not going to happen.

As a recent college grad, I found it much easier to hide underneath piles of blankets and behind books and tv screens while waiting and hoping for good responses from my job applications. It's much easier to sulk in a time of uncertainty, but it's important to do something.

Find projects you can be passionate about. It gives you something to do while working hard to find a job. Sometimes, you discover something that you might like to do. Go out and meet people. Not only are people great company, but they can help you in your search. Whatever it is that will get you out of that sweatpants and Netflix binge lifestyle that you were married to in college, do it!

We're entering the real adult world. Not the pseudo-adult world that we joked about in college. We need to start acting like it, folks. It's alright to have those days to relax and watch movies, but we need to also learn how to really take care of ourselves - in the midst of uncertainty and even in the midst of rejection.

Unfortunately, rejection is a part of the process and even though we all hate it, we have to learn how to deal with it. The last and most important piece of advice I can give you is to not take rejection personally. It sucks when employers tell you, "you're not a good fit" and when you hear it over and over it really sinks in. But just because you're not a good fit for that company does not mean you're not a good fit for any company. You have talents and skills that will be a perfect fit for another and you will find that job because you are able.

So let yourself breathe, get some sunshine, and learn to take the rejection. Take it from someone still learning, unemployment is scary and overwhelming. Who knows how long this season will last? As for me, I'm learning how to make the most of it, you should too!