In the years that lead up to graduation you have one overall focus in life, to graduate. So much is riding on this fact: your parents expectations, the debt you have incurred, and the time you have already sunk in. All of that pays off the day you walk across that graduation stage and for you, dear reader, I pray that day comes soon.
But what about life after college? You have the rest of your life waiting for you and that can be difficult to think about right now. A smart man learns from his mistakes but a wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Take the advice of a recent college graduate on what to do and what not to do in life after college.
- Dress professionally
It seems like in every stage of education a teacher or professor is telling you “They won’t accept this in college!” or “They won’t accept that in the real world!” Quite frequently, what was supposed to be unacceptable in that stage your teacher was describing would be acceptable. Your professor sometimes will take a late homework or they won’t care if you show up late. I remember many students, including myself occasionally, showing up to class looking like a homeless person. When I started my first job immediately after college I did not comb the back of my hair in the mornings and I have major cow licks back there. I thought to myself, “No one in high school or college seems to care how they dress, so why would people care now?” I was wrong. This dear reader… is unprofessional behavior! Don’t do what I did straight out of college. Dress and groom yourself like a professional even if you are not one. - Show up on time
Just do it. - Make an effort to keep in touch with friends
One of the greatest things about life after college is having no homework or tests to study for. You have to work for more hours than you are in the classroom but overall you have more time. However, what binds you to your friends in college disappears after graduation. Most people move away and you are no longer attending the same events. It is easy to lose touch with the people you care about. Do not be afraid to reach out first. Reach out first a few times if you must. If they care about you, they will make an effort. If you try three times or more and they don’t respond, just enjoy the memories you have of them and move on. The best way I have kept in touch with friends from college are using smaller group chats from study groups or extra curricular activities. - Take care of your body
Unfortunately none of us are getting any younger. The constant studying in college can wear down the body and the average college student’s diet is less than ideal. The increase in free time and finances post college makes room for better access to the basics of a healthy lifestyle. Stretch, eat healthy, and do some form of weight lifting to stay on top of things. It is never too late to start exercising and it is best to start young. - Start saving
Cliches are repeated for a reason and this is a major cliche. Do not blow all your money once you start making money out of college. Even if you get a decent paying job, you may be shocked how little money you have to spend after rent, insurance, gas, etc. It is common for college graduates to move back in with their parents after graduation. Ten years ago this would have seemed like an embarrassing move but it is completely understandable today. Do what you must to save money and pay off your loans as quick as possible. It is never convenient to save money and the temptation to spend it is overwhelming. Save your money even if it is just a little bit at a time.
I pray that the rest of your time in college goes smoothly and that you find this advice helpful.
