Post Grad Life and What People Don't Tell You About It

Because it is not all sunshine and rainbows....at least it hasn't been for me

So let me tell you a few things I have learned about not being in college anymore.

Just for some background, I graduated college in December '22. I was able and decided to stay an extra semester in school, thanks to covid for taking some of my college experience away. I will say graduating in December is nothing like graduating in May. You quite literally walk across the stage, head straight into the holidays then boom, everyone is asking when you start working. Yet when you graduate in the summer, everyone expects you to start after the summer is over and you have taken one last break. Well, needless to say, I took a break myself. I continued my interviewing and job searching for almost two months before starting my career. While no one cared when I was going to begin working, I felt I deserved at least a little time before making an 8-5 my whole life.

Let's just say I am very glad I did and these are a few things I have learned along the way...

#1 - You are probably not going to get your dream job right out of college

This was a hard concept for me to understand. I also wasn't entirely sure what specific business field I wanted to enter. I liked multiple different areas and wanted to see what I mean enjoy the most. Many people have told me, the job you get out of college is probably not the job you will stay at for the next 30 years so I kept telling myself that when places like Coca-Cola rejected my application. I have the best opportunity now to figure out what I like and find a place to learn (which thankfully I did! yay!).

The moral of the story is, don't be too hard on yourself. Easier said than done, I know, but give yourself some grace. Things will all work out how they are supposed to.

#2 - During this time you will truly know who your friends are

College is the perfect time to interact with as many people as possible and you will probably meet a lot of people who will just be surface-level friends. Not having an easy way to constantly make friends has made me appreciate the friends I have, notice who still stays around, see who is there for me, and show me the people who are not really friends. I am the friend who always reaches out first, makes the plans, and tries my best to check in on others. Not being in college has shown me how many people I was trying to connect with that couldn't even put the same effort back. Sure it's okay to miss friends and not always be able to see each other, you are going to have those people who feel like no time has passed, but I challenge you to stop putting in the effort to those who don't do the same to you. Of course, reaching out is a two-way street but there because a point where you have tried enough and it's okay to accept that the friendship was just meant for college. While the circle has grown smaller from not seeing people as often, I know who I can count on and who genuinely cares about me being present in their life.

"if people want you in their life they will prioritize you. watch how many people stop talking to you when you stop talking first." - The Lastest Quote

#3 - You are probably not going to miss college as much as you think

Let's be honest, the second you don't have to open up your homework tab ever again, will you miss school? Not having to do a last-minute quiz on Sunday night is pretty great. This new free time you have can now be spent on yourself, your mental health, and new things you may enjoy. For the first time in forever, I can get into bed, watch a TV show and watch it, and not have homework to do at the same time. You will of course miss the people, the social aspect, and the freedom but there are a lot more things you won't miss from college when you are done.

#4 - You get to create a new routine

My new schedule now has a work day in it but it also has more time to add back in the things I was missing out on. I can go back to the gym regularly, focus on hobbies I enjoy, make dinner plans with friends, or find new recipes to make. The working world puts you more on a schedule so now you have the chance to schedule other things too. I will tell you I have gone to the gym more in the past two months than I have since the pandemic. Because now I have the chance to add things into my new routine that are important to me. As cheesy as it sounds, the possibilities are endless. I have learned to say no to more fulfilling things and say yes to the things I want to be present at.

#5 - Give yourself something to look forward to

Plan a girl's night, self-care night, or weekend trip to give yourself something to get excited about. Big or small it gives you something to stay motivated for. You no longer have college events to attend so you have to keep your life just as exciting! Find happiness even in something as small as coffee with a friend. Every weekend I try to make plans that make me excited. Date night with my boyfriend, pizza with the girls Saturday, or drinks out with new friends are just a few of the things I have made myself excited for.

So that's it?

Yes, for a lot of us a 9-5 is what our future holds but our lives are more than just working all the time. The adjustment has been difficult for me to navigate through. To be completely honest, some days have been a struggle but oddly enough I have found a lot of peace within myself too. I enjoy my early bedtime, nightly skincare and just getting to lay in bed. I am very excited about this great new chapter and I can't wait for all the adventures to come!

XX M