It’s okay to not have a plan during this period in your life. Although the unknown is fearful and the past four or four plus years of your life has consisted of late night studying, early morning coffee and cramming, it’s time to move on. There are a couple of postgraduate options out there. Some graduates might already have a job lined up and a lease signed while others may be heading back home. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, you’re going to be fine.

Remember that you’ve done this already, a thousand times over. Maybe it is not the exact same situation, but there are constants. Ironically the foundations of change remain the same. Every new semi-monumental change in life is scary, exciting, invigorating and tiring all at once.

Think back to middle school. You probably heard whispers of how much harder high school will be. Although it there were hardships, there was also growth. You made it through the challenges of high school and earned that diploma.

Now think back to when you were applying to colleges. The overwhelming fear of being denied from every university probably flooded your mind and you didn’t know what your next move was going to be. But you made it in, and you graduated from there too.

Think back to your college move in day. As exciting as it was to finally be away from home and embark on this adventure, it was scary. What if you didn’t make any friends? What if you weren’t cut out for this? What if the class curriculum was too difficult? But, despite all of the horrid, what ifs, you made it through college. I’m sure you met some of the most amazing people throughout your journey as well.

If you do have job lined up that’s amazing. Congrats! Your first day will be scary and intimidating. But, once again you will meet friendly, funny, inspiring co-workers and create even more bonds and connections through this job. This time cut out the negative what ifs and replace it with what if I do great? What if I succeed in this journey as much as I have before? What if this job is what I need right now to move onto the next chapter of my life? What if my boss is actually a decent person? What if I’m phenomenal at what I do?

If you don’t have a job lined up, or big plans for the future at the moment, that’s okay! You’ve worked so hard for the past couple of years to get here. You deserve a break. It’s okay if you’ve moved back home and are working on yourself. This time, instead of thinking about the horrible what ifs about not moving on, think what if everything is how it needs to be right now? What if I need this time for personal growth? What if I have the best summer and still find an amazing job? What if everything works out? What if it is actually all going to be alright?

The world doesn’t wait for anyone but that doesn’t mean you have to rush your life away. You will be fine, you have always been fine. Your young years in this world have been exponentially challenging but you’re here now. You’ve made it this far and you’re just getting started. You have always made your individual situation work, therefore you will always find a way to make it work, and therefore, you will always be successful. So cheers to you post grad and newfound alumnus of a university. You’re going to do just fine, and remember you’ve started new before.