So, you did it, you got that degree, countless hours sitting in class and thousands of dollars later, there you are, you're done. Yay! But what next? It seems as though you constantly get asked at least one of these dreaded questions: What do you want to with your degree? Are you going to go back to school and get your masters? What's your plan now? It really starts to get annoying and makes you think that you need to get your life together by next week. Because that's what everyone seems to expect from you.
When you look around, it seems like everyone else around you that graduated has a plan and you don't have breadcrumbs to follow to even find a path to take. Don't fret, you're not alone. There are plenty of other people in that boat with you. There are people that are in their 30s and 40s that still haven't figured out their plan for life yet. Don't stress over it, you'll figure something out. Despite what some people say, you are still young, you still have time to figure things out, to make mistakes; there should be no rush to get started at a career you will have for the rest of your life.
It is best not to compare your life with other people's. Life is not a race; it should not be a competition. So what if you still have the same job you had throughout college? It's a job. It might not be your dream job, or what you want to do for the rest of your life, but it is still income. At least you are not just sitting around the house complaining about not having a job, but also not doing anything to even look for a job. Look on the brighter side; trust me, it helps.
You are still young. These are the days you are supposed to be wild and free. This is your time to figure out who you are and what you want. Oftentimes, we are so focused on just getting done with school that we don't take a chance to figure out what comes next, what comes after graduation. We don't always get those fun college years to explore the world, find ourselves and just be young and carefree. Many college students go from work to class then home to study and maybe get a few hours of sleep in between. There is not a whole lot of time for fun. It doesn't fit into the schedule. There is nothing wrong with it, but it is draining. You push yourself to your limit, burn yourself out. Once summer comes around that's when the fun begins, right? Not always. There are summer classes to take and in many cases, they are the only way that the whole four-year plan will work in college and, once again, we can't forget about those jobs too.
You cannot plan your life overnight. You can't figure everything out the day after graduation. Take your time, explore your options, everything will work itself out in the end. I know it's hard, but don't be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are a part of life, and sometimes they can be the first breadcrumb that leads you to the path you are supposed to be on. Calm down, relax and take some time to figure things out. But don't stop looking and don't give up. Don't lose the fire and drive to go after what you want. Explore the things you are interested in, those little things you think about all the time -- those are the things that you have a passion for. Find a way to keep those things in your life and you will be a much happier person. Be around people that fill your life with joy and laughter, people that are supportive of your choices but will also let you know when you are being an idiot. Being young is about finding yourself, learning and growing every day. Be passionate, be creative, live boldly, love fiercely, be fearless -- be you. No one else in the world can do it. So, it's okay to not have a plan. Life will surprise you. The moments that you seem to be lost in the woods are the moments that you discover who you are and what you want most out of life.
