I graduated this past June, and post-grad life did not turn out exactly how I had pictured it. Maybe I was a bit naive in college, thinking I could go on and accomplish so much right after graduation. Maybe my expectations were a little too high for today's current state of affairs. The reality of post grad life vs the expectations I had for myself are almost comical:

1. Expectation: You'll find a full time job in your field within a couple months and start making a difference in the world!

Reality: HA. Remember when you were that naive? You're still at that same part time job you've been working since high school, despite the fact that you send out resumes like that was actually your job. You've went on a few interviews, but no dice. You knew the job market was bad, but you weren't really prepared for this.

2. Expectation: Maybe in a year's time, you'll have enough money saved up to move out with a friend or significant other. Your first apartment!

Reality: You're still living with your parents, in your childhood bedroom. They still help you do your laundry and cook your meals. On the bright side, you don't have a curfew anymore and there's always food in your house when you're hungry. You really can't complain on this front.

3. Expectation: With your new job, you can help your parents. Give back to them after all the years they took care of you!

Reality: You're barely affording nice Christmas gifts for them on your part time job paychecks and you're dreading the day you're taken off their health insurance.The mere thought of making your own doctors appointments gives you slight panic attacks. You were not meant for independent life.

4. Expectation: You're making a decent salary, so when student loans start to hit, there's no need to panic.

Reality: You get your first student loan email and the panic attacks start to set in. How are you expected to pay off credit card bills, phone bills, generally live life AND pay back your loans on minimum wage?! You play the lotto more often then ever, in hopes of becoming a millionaire over night.

5. Expectation: You can save up for a really nice vacation that you totally deserve after all this hard work!

Reality: You can still afford nice vacations on minimum wage -- just takes you about one to two full years of saving up. Picture yourself laid out on the beautiful sands of Bermuda....in 2019. Don't worry, the 730 days will just fly by.