Life After College: What’s Next?
Independence At Last! Transitioning from College to Career and Life
The first few months after college graduation are a bit surreal for most young adults. A life that was filled with structure, after school time commitments, and due dates is suddenly full of free time. Hopefully, you were able to get in plenty of summer activities while settling into your first full-time position. But now that it’s fall and the social calendar is slowing down, you may find yourself wondering what to do when you’re not at work.
It’s normal to feel a bit unsettled during this period of time. Everything has changed, you suddenly have a lot of responsibilities and expenses, and your support system may not be physically close. Other reasons young people struggle a bit during the first six months after college may include:
Moving away from family or close college friends
Feeling not quite acclimated to the work environment
Wondering if this is the right career choice
Worrying about budget and income
Eating and drinking unhealthily and not getting enough physical activity
All of these things are common, and most young adults begin developing new life skills rather quickly. If you’re just kind of stuck and need help brainstorming, call me for a pep talk and strategy session. If you’re feeling a depression that you can’t seem to get out from under, however, it’s time to seek out a professional counselor.
Life on Your Own Terms: Explore Your Interests
Back in school, you had homework, sports, clubs, parties, and all kinds of commitments that took up your non-class time. Now you may be in an 8 to 5 rhythm, but what are you doing with yourself on evenings and weekends? With living expenses and student loan payments starting, you know that you can’t afford expensive hobbies just yet. That’s okay! There are a lot of ways to fill your new free time without breaking the bank.
Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
Start a dinner club - if you have friends in the area, begin a weekly potluck dinner club that rotates around the group’s homes. The host will provide the main dish, while everyone attending brings sides, desserts, and beverages. This is a great way to learn to enjoy cooking and keep your friendships intact.
Work with youth - whether you can coach a sport, tutor, or participate in creative art programs, working with youth in your community is a great way to develop new skills and build relationships. If you’re getting paid, consider how you might best use that extra income to pay down credit card debt or student loans accrued during college. If you are fortunate enough to be debt-free, consider opening a high-interest savings account or starting a Roth IRA to begin a practice of investing for the future.
Take a hobby class - I know that going back to school is probably at the bottom of your list, but most school districts or libraries have community education programs. These are low cost opportunities to learn new life skills or take up a hobby. Most of these programs also offer classes on financial wellness. The best part is that these classes are just for fun. No worries about homework or tests.
Join your community - start volunteering, attend a worship service, visit a civic event, go to concerts in the park, or join a local networking group to start making connections in your hometown. It’s hard to put yourself out there if you have to go alone the first time, but trust me that once you start getting involved, you’ll meet new people.
No matter how you decide to start filling your time, remember to practice self care. Take walks, shop the farmers market, cook most meals, limit TV and video games, get enough sleep, and call your grandparents. Don’t live the adulthood you fantasized about as a 10 year old and expect to be healthy and happy. Put some effort into building a lifestyle you can be proud of, and it will pay off well over the years.
Finally, remember that pep talk is always available. Whether you’re thinking about getting an advanced degree, questioning your career choice, or looking for a new location, I am always in your corner and ready to help you take your next best step.