If you're a college student who is about to graduate, you're preparing not only for commencement but also for what your future holds. For some of you, graduate school is an option that you probably will consider, whether you want to immediately pursue it or wait a little bit before going into a graduate program.

You're preparing for each year as you go through college, especially going from your first to second year, but as you've gone through your senior year in the anticipation of graduating from college, it's almost like you are becoming a first-year student again when you're in graduate school because you are starting a new level of school. As a graduate student, you will approach things differently because you know school will be more challenging. But most importantly, you know you're ready for it.

1. Focus on one passion at a time

When you were in your undergraduate days, people were telling you to make the best of your experience by trying a bunch of different things, but now that you're in graduate school, you've got to buckle down a bit more since it's getting just a bit more serious. Of course, you're going to still do things and have a blast, but the discipline you choose to study in graduate school is a setup for the direction you're going to go.

2. You go out less

You're still going to have your moments when you enjoy yourself, whether you're by yourself, out with friends, or on a date, but you understand that you're closer to wanting to settle down.

3. People ask you questions

A lot of graduate students have graduate assistantships and as part of that, they will teach, or assist the instructor, in a class, and students will have their share of struggles on the course material, where they'll come to you for questions. You were asking more questions when you were an undergraduate student but the script has flipped when you get to graduate school.

4. Spending time with people other than your classmates/students

As a graduate student, you are more focused on your academics that it is easier to shut out those who you typically don't see in the classroom. When you're a senior, you're definitely trying to live it up more in a social context, but when you're in grad school, you're more established in what you're trying to do while you're at school. You know what you are there to do.

5. Style

Typically, when you're in graduate school, especially if you have an assistantship, you will dress a bit more business-casual or professional than you did while you were in college. Although you are still a student, this is a change you're willing to make.

6. You take harder classes

The classes you take in your first year of graduate school are tougher than the classes you took in your senior year because there is a notable step up. You're expected to know and do more as a master's student.

7. You take fewer classes per semester

As a senior, you might be taking around 15-18 credit hours per semester, but in graduate school, your program is likely a two-year program for about 32-36 credit hours, where you typically don't do more than 12 credits of academics in a semester. As a point of reference, 12 credits is the minimum for undergraduate students.

8. Housework

Even though most seniors live off-campus too, being a graduate student means that you have to take that next step of maturation domestically, by taking care of the garbage, dishes, laundry, and cleaning, and you'll have more time to do it.

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By entering graduate school, you're taking a big step forward. With that, you know the responsibilities of being a graduate student, and you know what it takes to succeed. You're ready for this, and you can always enjoy the ride. Be sure to have some relaxation along the way because you are in it for the journey, and it ain't gonna be easy. Congratulations Graduate! You've got this.