Anticipation is building as graduation day approaches. You're finishing up your final exams and writing the last essays you will likely ever have to write. When you finally walk across that stage, you're officially in the "real world". That can be a really scary thought. After being a student your entire life, you may not know what to do with yourself when there aren't assignments due and projects to work on. You may be stressing out about what to do with your life after graduation. "Should I go to graduate school? Should I settle down and get a steady career? Should I move in with my parents until I can figure everything out?" It's a lot to consider. And I'm here to tell you that if you're not sure what you want to do just yet, it's okay.
There is a lot of societal pressure to follow a strict life plan that leads you to a full-time, well-paying career immediately after college. And some people who have known what they wanted to be when they grew up since they were little may have that plan mapped out well. But that's not for everyone.
Some of you may need time to find a job and pay off your student loans. Moving back home with your parents may be the easiest and fastest way to do that. There's absolutely no shame in spending more time with family. Also, not having to pay rent and getting delicious homecooked meals every day is a plus.
Others of you may not even know what kind of job you're looking for. Maybe the major you picked didn't turn out to be as good of a fit for you as you had hoped. Even if you don't want to use your major, just having a degree at all is something to be proud of. There are lots of jobs you can get in the meantime to hold you over until you figure it out. Plus, your "in the meantime" job may turn out to be something you really love and will want to continue doing. You never know until you try.
If you're thinking that you want to further your education, or maybe pursue a completely different degree, graduate school is a great option. You can explore different colleges and find one with a degree that fits your specific needs. Take some classes that you missed out on during your undergrad. Enjoy being young and living the college life!
If you're stuck between a couple of different choices, and your budget allows for it, you can always try taking some time off after college. In England, every student takes a gap year when they graduate so that they can travel and enjoy themselves before they start "adulting". I think it's something we should start doing in the U.S. as well. You're only young once, so you should live it up while you can! Take a trip to Ibiza. Join the Peace Corps for a couple of years. Catch up with some friends you haven't seen in a while. Just do whatever makes you happy!
Whether you have a plan or not, just know that everything is going to be okay. You're going to figure this out. You're going to do great things. And if your plan doesn't look exactly like everyone else's, that's because it's yours and not theirs. Embrace it, and live your own life in a way that makes you happy.
