Post Grad Life

Movies and TV shows make life post graduation seem as though your life completely ends.  I'm here to say that I've been out of college for a year now and my life has definitely not ended.

The truth is my world has completely opened up!  It's a crazy adjustment being home, trust me I know; but it's a transition that will help get you to the next step.  I've broken post grad life down into categories, have a look at why your life isn't over and some advice to get you through it.

WORK

There's so much pressure after school to know exactly what you want to be doing from the age 22 to 65.  People will constantly be asking you: 

• "What are you doing next?" "Where will you be living?" "What jobs have you applied to?"  "Have you tried areas such as *insert stable job titles here*?" And my personal favorite, "Why haven't you found a job yet?"

I didn't have a job straight out of college and it turned out fine.  As long as you stay true to what you want to do you'll be fine; trust me!

People will constantly be putting in their two cents whether it's asked for or not.  That's okay, but at a certain point it can get overwhelming.  It'll feel like everyone is telling you what to do.  I majored in Communications and everyone I encountered gave me a list of very stable job options that I should try; none of which I actually wanted to pursue.  But, just remember no matter what job people tell you to go into, you're the only one having to work that job and live that life.  

FREE TIME

Depending on what job you have, you have a lot of free time.  You don't have to come home after work and do homework.  You have more time to go out on the weekends, explore your own city, join groups to meet new people, and travel.  I have been able to travel, get a puppy, and pick up new hobbies with the free time I've had.  When you get a job though you can be in danger of falling into a rut and just wanting to go home and crash.  But don't!  Go out, have fun, and do what you want.  Your body clock will adjust to a new work schedule in no time!  

MONEY

Currently I am living that poor post grad life and I am living at home with my parents.  That's okay!  You just have to make it clear with your parents that you need privacy and you need to be able to handle your own responsibilities.  Honestly, I used to be embarrassed about living with my parents after school but, it is so economically smart.  I am saving so much money living at home and working to build up my savings.  At times it felt like everyone I knew was living out in the city, but that's not true.  More people are living with their parents than you'd think.  And a lot of people who aren't living with their parents are missing a good home cooked meal!

Budgeting can be hard because you want to spend money on literally everything...like me.  I am always down to go out to dinner, buy a new album for my record player, or take a trip to Dunkin Donuts for a sweet tea.  But, you have to know what is best for you bank!  You have to budget out who much gas you get for your commute.  I try to get gas once a week, driving the speed limit helps save gas and so does car pooling if there is someone in your area that works with you.  When you get a pay check divide it into your savings account, student loans, and any other payments you need to make.  Every pay check is divided, every single one.  

HAPPINESS

I went through a rough time feeling like my college days were over and that post grad life was going to be so awful.  Everything is what you make it.  I had to take it upon myself to get out of the house and make new memories.  Life after school is the beginning of something entirely new.  It's all about you.  Stop living your life for someone else, live it for yourself.  Be selfish, have fun, stay out late, make money, make memories, and put your happiness first!  At the end of the day you have to make yourself happy because that's the person you have to live with.  

You got this!  Post grad life is going to be incredible and you're going to take it by storm.  Good luck!