From everyday collegiate lifestyles to hardworking real world situations, the rollercoaster of emotions and situations more familiar than you think. There is a common thread that weaves through both worlds. The thread that ties is one of self-discovery and the search for independence. You believe that these two worlds are separate and distinct, but the familiarities are quite similar....you learn from each step you take.
1a. College Life: Dorm Room
Your four white walls and double bunked beds become your little slice of familiarity in the mysterious world of college. This is where you met your roommate for the first time, where you learned the best techniques to procrastinate studying for that history final, and spent long nights making some of the best memories you'll recall fondly in your later years.
1b. The New Reality Post Grad: Utilities Included?
Finding that perfectly quaint apartment to call your new home. Whether you're moving in with a friend you've just met or had for years, your significant other for that next step, or your own solo expedition, it's your time. Finding deals on cable and the internet and making the most out of the lack of air conditioning on those hot summer days. The lack of curfews, quiet hours, and that anonymous mess in the hallway from last weekend won't be missed.
2a. College Life: Student Union Dining Services
You meet up with your crew of friends in your favorite place to eat on campus. They've got everything you'd hope for, with a tray to put back and hope that you don't accidently toss it in the trash and a meal swipe with what you thought was an unlimited supply of fake money. Flatbread pizzas, burritos, the special of the day and chicken nuggets is all a college kid needs to get by, right?
2b. The New Reality Post Grad: Paper or Plastic?
You're at the grocery store looking at the hundreds of combinations that you could cook for dinner. There's meat, vegetables, pasta... all sorts of stuff that actually needs cooking. Adjusting to cooking entire meals with a side, another side and another side, you go with Spaghetti O's for your five-star dinner affair on a Wednesday night. You're now paying back all of those "free meals" and having to cook for yourself at the same time.
3a. College Life: Extracurriculars: College Edition
You embark on your college journey ready to meet new people and be a part of new and bigger things. Maybe you joined a sorority your first year. Perhaps you sought out the environmental club or the Student Government Association. You meet a variety of diverse people and your phone contacts enlarge by the months.
3b. The New Reality Post Grad: Realizing That Your Siblings Aren't Really That Bad
Your weekends are now filled with "Hey sis, what are you up too? Wanna come over for some crafts and wine?" Family time has now become your new routine, but you're actually not complaining. There's a new appreciation for those that have always been there. You had that friend within them all along.
4a. College Life: Pregame and Nights Out
Blastin' those pump up tunes and trying on as many outfits as you need to find the right one. Hey, the floor will clean itself, right? There may be some falls and drunken cries but there will always be uncontrollable laughter and unforgettable memories. Make sure to always check your camera roll the next morning for the best Sunday morning recaps.
4b. The New Reality Post Grad: Ice Cream and Netflix Binges
Pajama ready and Ben and Jerry's Half Baked Ice Cream equipped for your uneventful Saturday night of Netflix show marathons. After a long week of working your days away, this is the most relaxing and money-saving way to enjoy your weekend nights off (See number 10).
5a. College Life: Winter Break
Waiting all semester long for those four to six weeks of pure relaxation after finals week and before starting a new semester on a fresh start (hoping for better grades!) After celebrating an array of holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Years, it's time to sit-- literally just sit! As you know, there's no time for sitting in college with busy schedules and exam dates.
5b. The New Reality Post Grad: Warming Up Your Car First Thing In The Morning
Your first year out of college, winter rolls around and you finally realize that you're out of college when you only have the holiday off and have to return to work the next day. Shoveling off your car in the morning, no matter how much snow has buried your car, and putting your best foot forward for work. After all, there is a paycheck coming your way, it's time to work for it.
6a. College Life: After Class Meetings With The Professor
Some classes, you sit in the back and live the incognito lifestyle of coming when you choose and still managing to get one of the highest grades in the course. Other classes, your professor becomes your mentor and your voice of guidance through the hectic world of college.
6b. The New Reality Post Grad: In Office Sit Downs With Your Boss
Finding that perfect job or the job that will do "for now" to pay those bills and student loans is the new lifestyle post grad. You are a lucky employee if your boss becomes your new mentor or is at least kind enough to keep you employed after your 90-day probationary period.
7a. College Life: "He thought you were so cute last night at that party."
College has an assortment of places to find someone that might just make your heart beat a little harder. Whether it's at a fraternity party, in the library for a group study session, in line at the dining hall or your across-the-hallway neighbors, hooking up and dating in college gives you a whole sea to fish from. Get your poles ready.
7b. The New Reality Post Grad: "How'd you meet him again?"
Today's the day. You tell yourself this for days to come. Today's the day that I find someone that'll give me that warm fuzzy feeling. The reality is, it's not as easy as it was in college to find someone. Your resources to find that perfect someone is now limited. There's work, but who wants to date someone you work with? There's the laundromat, but after seeing his Superman underwear... that's not an option. You find new ways... online dating, your Monday volleyball league or even your sister's best guy friend. The good news is when you've found them, you are ready to board the love train and see where it takes you.
8a. College Life: Sports Scholarship
You played sports all throughout high school and landed a full scholarship to play at the college of your dreams. There's practice, practice and you guessed it, practice. But hey, you're breaking your personal records and working toward team wins with your college letterman jacket handy. You have to remember that working hard on that team is the only way to maintain your sports scholarship or it's a revised bill for you!
8b. The New Reality Post Grad: Intramural Volleyball
Your after work special has turned into locking up your gym bag in the locker room and heading to the court for a little intramural volleyball or basketball. You're playing with kids half your size that are running up and down the court faster than you can say "defense." The other team members are 30 and 40-year-old intramural volleyball champions that have made lifelong friends through the game.
9a. College Life: Refund Check
The sweet, sweet feeling of seeing those numbers rise in your bank account from just sitting back and watching it grow. Your refund has been released and it's time to use it up. Apply it back to loans, make some big back to school purchases, food and of course those weekend festivities... We can always thank our perfectly timed refund check in the midst of the semester.
9b. The New Reality Post Grad: Coupon Cutting
Checking price drops and comparing prices between products has become a game in and of itself. The game is to get the most for less. Now that you're making your own living, it's time to keep an eye on those grocery prices and night out spendings.
10a. College Life: "Mom and Dad, I need more money."
Coming up with ways to justify why you need more money during the semester after your parents know that you already received your hefty refund check!
10b. The New Reality Post Grad: "Mom and Dad, I need your help"
They know you've worked hard and you are trying to make it on your own, but sometimes you come up short so you turn to those people that have always stood by you and want you to succeed.
