March 6, 2017
Although graduation is meant to be a time of celebration and accomplishment, it is also unfortunately a time of looming doom, listlessness and uncertainty. What are you even supposed to do after graduation? What are you supposed to do when you’re not trapped within the structured confines of academia?
Who could blame you if the whole idea of having to pick something to do “for the rest of your life” is too daunting and restricting to think about?
Sometimes it seems like others your age are already years ahead. You can feel pushed to get your life together. Not only that, but you have spent years training for a specific path: be a child, go to high school, graduate high school, go to college, graduate college, get a job or go to more college. So, when something disrupts that path, you question yourself and feel attacked with doubt.
Well guess what? It’s okay if you don’t know what to do yet. It’s wonderful if you have found your passion, but it’s also okay if you continue to hopscotch back and forth between different career choices. It happens. So, here are some things to do to help you get on the track you want to be on:
Are you looking for a position and getting discouraged because nobody is hiring you? Are you looking for jobs and not finding anything you want to do? If this is the case, perhaps you should take a gap year. Spend a whole year not constantly trying to “get your life together.” Instead, do things that will help you figure out new things about yourself.
Now is the time! Seriously. Traveling can change your life by expanding your world to other cultures and beliefs. Experiencing this gives you the kind of openness required for understanding the world’s diverse culture and also gives you a sense of independence and maturity.
According to BBC, traveling will help you better understand yourself and your motivations. Getting outside of your comfort zone is not only fun, but being so far away from home also helps you realize the things you deeply value. If you want to lead a more satisfied life, why not get a job focused on something you care about? Although traveling is a luxury, it’s something worth saving for. If you’re still not convinced, some schools are even paying students to teach English abroad. Look for opportunities abroad. You can teach or you can be a travel guide; the opportunities are literally endless – you just have to start looking.
In order to get a college degree, you are pushed to pick a major. Perhaps your major was engineering, but you’re still unsure of whether or not you want to work in that field. Maybe try something in marketing? Maybe even try working as a clerk at a bookstore? All these jobs introduce you to a variety of experiences that can familiarize you with customer service, fast-paced environments, organization, communication, and teamwork. Whether or not you end up hating these jobs, at least you’ll acquire incredibly valuable skills for your next job.
Joining an organization can help you find fulfillment in your life. The Corporation for National Community Service says that volunteering helps strengthen communities, connect with others, and even benefit your health. You can volunteer at a local hospital, a local animal shelter, or even apply at bigger organizations such as Red Cross.
Not only will this help you establish more connections, but it will also add meaning to your life. Helping those in need is another good way to help you grow during a time you’re unsure about the future. And the best part is that it teaches you selflessness and is a cheaper way to open your world to different cultures and experiences.
After college, your 20s can be one of the loneliest times of your life. Your friends will probably move away and you may even live far from your family. Although this is a good time to establish independence, having a community of support and love is still necessary.
Post-graduation is typically the time you start appreciating your parents (or parent-figures) for the sacrifices they’ve made and the encouragements they’ve given you throughout the years. Always thank them.
This is also the time you’re going to have to try harder to keep in contact with your friends. Long-distance friendships are harder to maintain, but they’re worth it. Make an effort to schedule Skype dates and catch-up sessions, no matter how busy your schedules are. Besides, constantly keeping in touch with these people and having conversations with them can also help you discover things you want to do.
Overall, post-grad life doesn’t have to be as awful as it seems. There is truly plenty of time to discover “the rest of your life.” Use your time after graduation to be brave and to do things you never had time to do before. Your responsibilities are barely starting so there’s no need to rush into them if you’re not ready yet.
