After you take that tassel and move it to the other side of your graduation cap, your first thought is most likely … what now?
A lot of you college seniors out there do not have long until you join the post grad life. I know that I was really naive during my last year of college until I realized reality was sneaking up quicker than I wanted it to. Whether you get that full time job you have always dreamed about, or you move on to grad school or whatever adventure, these years of countless fun are coming to an end and a lot of changes are about to come your way. Even if you move back home to the place you spent your childhood, returning after college can still bring new and exciting experiences, just now as an adult. Although your alcohol tolerance will decrease drastically and you cannot wear your groutfit all day, “adulting” will be some of the best times of your life, I promise! You do not have to let this chapter be standard to those ‘adult-esque’ requirements. Let yourself thrive and enjoy this new experience.
Here are a list of things you will see happen once you join the post grad life.
You are surprised to open your bank account and actually see some money in there.
You learn to be smart about what you do with that first “big-kid paycheck.” Although saving money has always been of the the upmost importance, you aren’t tossing it out the door by bar hopping and drunk eating every night (even though it’s still fun every so often). You and your friends will celebrate these small saving victories together!
You are learning how to balance life more than you ever have.
With less free time, you find importance in taking time for yourself. It can be easy to get caught up in all of those hours you put in each week, so take time and enjoy that happy hour drink or whatever else it is that makes you feel good. Multitasking also becomes more frequent.
Partying is hard, but so much more appreciated.
You will start wondering where your high alcohol tolerance went, but you pretend like you still have it. Those Friday night drinkin' songs that everyone sings along too are much more understood now.
You gain new skills.
You find other interests than what you used too or you begin to actually work on skills you felt you have always lacked. For me, it has been cooking, even though I am still not chef status.
You become active in your community.
Being involved with the community in which you live can open many doors for you. Whether it is attending local events, or supporting small businesses, you find yourself becoming more adventurous.
You learn to laugh at your problems.
Laugh at any situation because we cannot take life too seriously!
You have a more adult relationship with your parents.
You understand everything they have ever told you now more than ever. You start to really see your parents as friends and mentors, who you cannot thank enough.
As cliché as it sounds, you worked really hard in college to get closer to your dreams, so make “adulting” whatever YOU want it to be. Do not let the post grad life scare you, embrace the journey.
