Four years ago, the class of 2016 was preparing for their first year away at college. Now, we are off in the gigantic world figuring–or already playing–out our next moves. We could have never predicted who we all would be when we zipped up our robes and put on our caps to walk into the auditorium, where family and friends waited to see us grab our diplomas at last. But there are a few things every recent graduate knows to be true, at least to some degree.
1. If you’re going to graduate school, you’re probably feeling like you never left undergrad.
Minus the fact that you most likely aren’t around the same colleagues, professors, surroundings, city, dorm–okay, you understand. It’s different, but you’re still doing homework. At least you had a solid plan for your career and you’re on your way to great things! Even if there’s still homework involved…
2. Most likely, you end up moving back home.
This is a good thing: see family you may not have seen that much over the last couple of years, catch up with old friends, save money, etc. It could also be hard adjusting to sharing space and having your parents always worrying about where you are, what you’re doing, etc. But they love you, and you love them. I don’t know about you all, but I surely enjoy not having to cook all the time and always having a friend (i.e. sister or brother or parent) to chit chat with…so home is pretty good for the time being.
3. Starting your first “real” job is eye opening in more ways than one.
While I can’t speak from experience, I have plenty of friends who have told me about their first entry-level jobs out of college. You realize that while college prepared you for most things, a lot of your entry level jobs will not be what you expect. And sometimes, people older than you with more experience end up having way more drama than you do, which is odd considering the assumption younger generations tend to be consumed by those topics. Oh well, just another part of adulthood I suppose…
4. The more distance you get from college, the less important a lot of the bigger issues are now.
While you’ll always remember that your school’s cafeteria had the best vegan chocolate chip cookies only served once in a blue moon or how your RA knocked on your door to tell you to stop partying so loudly on a Saturday night after your last final of the year, you stop looking at college so segmented. College, to you, becomes more about the overall experience. Surprise, you’ve become one of those kids who can tell recent high school graduates that “their college years really are the best times of their life, and they’ll fade faster than you think”. And you’ll say it with a smile on your face, most likely thinking about all those memories that brought you to where you are at this very moment in time.
5. While college has passed you by, the friendships you made won’t cease to exist following graduation.
College friends are the friends who saw you at your worst, your best, and the time you were growing into the person who walked across the stage at graduation. They join the ranks of your high school friends and your life long friends. Suddenly all the late night pillow talks about your plans and your dreams become reality and before you know it, you’ll be checking off each item. You’ll reminisce about old times, but you’ll also plan new times.
6. Being an adult can be hard at times, but it’s not impossible.
Unfortunately, it’s not common practice to have hangovers during the work week and your boss will be less impressed. So will the credit card company if you don’t pay your fees. Being an adult can be hard, but it’s not impossible. Going from living in dorms and having meals and board paid for to trying to find an apartment and living on your own is hard, but it’s not impossible. It’s all trial and error and if you mess up, it’s okay. Just inhale, exhale, and try again.
7. You’re not paying tuition anymore but just wait for those loans…
Yeah, six months after you graduate you might start to forget about college but *spoiler alert* those loans still exist and your name is on them! Just don’t forget to pay them, like the credit card bill. That’s one financial burden you definitely can’t ignore…
