What They Did Not Warn You About Post-Grad Life ...
This post is mainly for the recent graduates (Congratulations!), but I know it will probably catch some attention and affirmation from graduates of all ages, all the while enlightening those who are just semesters away from getting a degree. Colleges and Universities make it their duty to make sure you are prepared to enter the workforce. They have career centers, career expos, loan seminars, and more, but they have failed to warn us about one thing.
The one thing they don't warn you about is the roller coaster of emotions that you will experience that can easily become depression, or be a gateway for sicknesses. I am a Spring 2017 graduate, and for the last 7 months, my colleagues and I have felt the same two emotions during this period: Excitement and Anxiety.
You're excited because you've slain a giant; you have a HUGE weight off your shoulders; you've made your family, friends, and most importantly yourself proud; you've done what others thought you could not do; you ultimately feel more confident because you've accomplished a great feat!
But then there's the other side ...
You're new to this! This isn't like the transition from high-school to college. This isn't school. You have a degree! You have a weapon! ... and you are expected to use it...but you don't know how to. You have so much to weigh: Grad school? Change my focus? Follow passion? Follow check? Start the business now? Loans/Scholarships? Just get the bag? Relocate? Break up, or Stay together? Stay single? At least these were some of my concerns. And asking these questions and being UNSURE will make you feel like you're unstable; it will make you sad; it will frustrate you to the point of tears.
To be honest, you may feel completely LOST!
And I just want to let you know that you are right where you need to be...LOST. Be careful not to do things in this stage that will harm your future. But this stage is beneficial because people who are lost, find new ways; they are able to explore new avenues of life and learn about themselves. They may have a plan, but they are not confined to it. They may know what they want to do, but just not how to do it...so this "lost" stage gives them the opportunity to find it. This stage is really a stage of "Exploration."
So Explore! You will be okay.
My exploration stage is the reason why I am in graduate school with a different career focus, while gaining professional experience at the university. . . And I am still exploring! Don't compare yourself to other people and their journey because it's their journey and you have yours. Don't live in the prison of opinions. Find what works for you. You're young and Degree'd. Be Young and Degree'd. You've underwent a 4-6 year of process. You're a Neo, a new member in Life. So be a Neo. Stay live, work hard, remember your values and principles, and never forget where you came from. You will be just fine!
Starve the Ego. Feed the Soul.
The one thing they don't warn you about is the roller coaster of emotions that you will experience that can easily become depression, or be a gateway for sicknesses. I am a Spring 2017 graduate, and for the last 7 months, my colleagues and I have felt the same two emotions during this period: Excitement and Anxiety.
You're excited because you've slain a giant; you have a HUGE weight off your shoulders; you've made your family, friends, and most importantly yourself proud; you've done what others thought you could not do; you ultimately feel more confident because you've accomplished a great feat!
But then there's the other side ...
You're new to this! This isn't like the transition from high-school to college. This isn't school. You have a degree! You have a weapon! ... and you are expected to use it...but you don't know how to. You have so much to weigh: Grad school? Change my focus? Follow passion? Follow check? Start the business now? Loans/Scholarships? Just get the bag? Relocate? Break up, or Stay together? Stay single? At least these were some of my concerns. And asking these questions and being UNSURE will make you feel like you're unstable; it will make you sad; it will frustrate you to the point of tears.
To be honest, you may feel completely LOST!
And I just want to let you know that you are right where you need to be...LOST. Be careful not to do things in this stage that will harm your future. But this stage is beneficial because people who are lost, find new ways; they are able to explore new avenues of life and learn about themselves. They may have a plan, but they are not confined to it. They may know what they want to do, but just not how to do it...so this "lost" stage gives them the opportunity to find it. This stage is really a stage of "Exploration."
So Explore! You will be okay.
My exploration stage is the reason why I am in graduate school with a different career focus, while gaining professional experience at the university. . . And I am still exploring! Don't compare yourself to other people and their journey because it's their journey and you have yours. Don't live in the prison of opinions. Find what works for you. You're young and Degree'd. Be Young and Degree'd. You've underwent a 4-6 year of process. You're a Neo, a new member in Life. So be a Neo. Stay live, work hard, remember your values and principles, and never forget where you came from. You will be just fine!
Starve the Ego. Feed the Soul.
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