So you've finally graduated from college and got that diploma after 4 or more grueling years. You can finally change your Facebook DP to that toga picture that you've kept in your desktop for months. You watch all the likes and "Congratulations!" comments flood in. You're on cloud nine and all is well in the universe. Until you stumble upon this particular comment:
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We're told that we need to grow up, study some more, work hard, earn a lot of money, and find someone who we'll spend the rest of our lives with. We're told that we need to start making decisions that will affect the rest of our lives. But let's face it. Most of us don't even have a clue on where to begin. Not everyone has their entire future planned ahead for them. More often than not, we get lost in the transition.
Not too long ago, I was the one stressing about life after college. A year after that point in my life, here are some of the things that I've learned so far and that I wished I knew back then:
1. You don't know what to do? That's okay. Take some time to figure out what it is you really want.
During college, I believed that my undergraduate course compelled me to take up a path related to it, the path I chose was medicine (and that's a whole new story all together that deserves a separate blog post haha!). Because of the academic calendar shift, I found myself rushing to my med school orientation day just a few days shy of my graduation day. I kept thinking that studying Medicine was going to take a long time and that I didn't have the luxury of taking time off after graduation. However, upon entering med school, I found out that most of my classmates took years off before med school to find themselves, to travel and relax, to work, to save money, or to mentally prepare themselves. My point is, you don't have to have it all figured out. So pause, relax, and breathe. Don't pressure yourself. After all, graduation is not a finish line -- it's a starting mark actually, and not everyone starts at the same point.
2. Deconstruct. Reconstruct. Repeat.
Rarely do we get a chance to start with a clean slate. It's time to let go of the things and people that weigh you down. All you really need is a support group composed of your family and maybe a couple of true friends that you know will always have your back. Choose quality over quantity but don't be afraid to add new friends to that tightly-knit circle of yours. You are allowed to burn some bridges but make sure to build new ones.
3. Think twice before taking "that giant leap".
I'm not saying that you should "play it safe" and follow what your parents or other people tell you to do, I'm saying that you should take measured risks. Discover and evaluate yourself. What is it that you really want to do? Start with something small today and slowly but surely, work your way to tomorrow. This isn't the time for making impulsive decisions. This is the time to think about what your passion really is, and ferociously follow it.
4. Things won't always go according to plan.
There will be several road blocks along the way. In the "real world" nobody will give you a 1.00 for being perfect. You could work your ass off, have an excellent resume, give an excellent interview, and still not get accepted to your dream school or your dream job in your dream company. You have to learn how to deal with rejection and learn to accept that the road to your dreams isn't going to be a straight one. There will be countless detours along the way but eventually, you'll reach your destination.
5. Seek inspiration from great mentors.
It's great having someone to look up to, someone who'll guide you through this transition point in your life. Look for the people who'll shed some light on the path that you are planning to take. Great mentors can equip you with excellent advice and valuable pieces of knowledge that they've gathered based on their real first-hand experiences. These are gold. Listen to them.
6. Connections may get you far, but hard work and a heart of gold will take you to places.
Whether it's applying for medical school, or applying for your first job experience, the competition will be fierce. It's a tough world out there and there will always be people, who know people, who know people, who are ten steps ahead of you. You can't blame them, after all, all they did was play with the cards that they were given. Instead, what you can do is rise above and play with the cards that you have right now, add in a little discipline, a lot of hard work, and never underestimate that golden heart of yours!
7. Embrace the changes that are about to come.
Don't rush adulthood but don't delay it either. Things are going to be different now but you should take this transition in your life as it comes. After all, change is the only constant thing in this world and without it, life would probably be pretty boring. This isn't "the end", rather, it is the beginning. So relax, enjoy, drink a shot or two, or ten while you still have the tolerance! Welcome to adult life! :)
