For many of the college-aged students, we've walked across the stage these past few weekends, moved our tassels from one side to the other, and thought, I finally did it.
College graduation is a whirlwind of emotions, filled with fond memories and sad goodbyes. We've been looking forward to this moment for most of the semester, and now that it's finally come and gone... What happens next?
Breathe.
Take a deep breath and let the moment sink in. You're a college graduate, how amazing is that?
Revel in the moment.
It doesn't matter whether or not you have a job straight out of college or if you're taking some time off, steal moments to look back and be grateful for the memories you made in college. Revel in what little time you have left of this period in your life, and be so happy and proud of all you've accomplished.
Embrace that everything is about to change.
Your sleep schedule, your social life, your day-to-day routine: it's all going to change one way or another. There will be times where you will miss the college life, but we must all remember that there are better things ahead of us than what we leave behind. Take the world by storm, carry your memories with you, and remember why you started this whole college mess in the first place: to be successful and happy with your life.
Take some time for yourself.
Everyone seems to be asking what we're doing after college, if we have any big plans, or if that degree will make us any money. Under the stress of exams, job interviews, and figuring out life, relax and take some time for yourself. Go for a run, stay on the couch all day, eat as much as you want, light some candles; the possibilities are endless.
Plan one thing for the summer that has been on your bucket list.
People can either embrace or fear routine, so whichever you prefer, plan something exciting for the summer that will shake things up. Go on a camping trip, visit a friend in a different state, go to a music festival, or why not even go skydiving? I understand that we must have some sort of security in life to tie us down, but loosen the reigns a little bit! Let the summer wind carry you and remember to be spontaneous and adventurous.
Prioritize who is most important to you.
Is seeing that super obnoxious couple's relationship status change every other week something you really want to see? No? Then delete them off of social media. Go through all your accounts and decide who you want to put your time and effort into. As your friends begin to move around, you're going to want to make sure stay up-to-date with their lives. But do you even know half the people on your Facebook anymore? If not, now's the time to use that delete button.
Begin shaping your life the way you want it to look.
In college, we were given so many opportunities to get involved. Whether it was sports, organizations, or clubs, there was never a dull moment on campus. But now that we will be on our own, we need to start shaping our lives for ourselves, and what kind of environment we want to be in. Follow blogs that focus on your passions, sign up for 5k or mud runs, become part of a yoga or zumba class, join a book club or bible study group. This is the time where we begin to define our lives for ourselves. Make an effort to make your life the way you want it, not what was convenient on your college campus.
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Congratulations, college grads! Treat yourself, take a deep breathe, and have fun with this summer!
