It’s funny how something that seemed so far away just happens to appear in front of you all of a sudden. After four years of college that seemed to fly by, I’m standing, waiting at the edge of what comes next, trying to make sense of how to approach what to do now. For years, graduation was this far-off milestone, something to consider “later.”
You don’t realize it but time tends to be condensed in college. Making friends, adjusting, and discovering your identity are all part of the first year. Then all of a sudden you’re halfway through, balancing responsibilities, classes, and possibly even juggling with a part-time job. Before you know it, you’re a senior and everything begins to become more realistic. Weekend hangout plans go away to then having discussions about job paths, applications, and the future.
My goal for the future is to become a dentist. It’s truly exciting but it’s also overpowering. Preparing for the DAT, creating an impressive application, accumulating experience, and determining how to differentiate oneself in a crowded field are all part of the process that awaits ahead. Many people tend to get senioritis but for myself and many others, life doesn’t stop, unfortunately. In addition to managing my part-time job and fulfilling responsibilities, I also need to find time to prepare and study. I frequently feel like I’m being dragged in several different ways, each of which requires all of my attention.
For many grads, including myself, this is the point at which reality begins to set in. When it comes to life after college, there are numerous aspects in adulthood that people don’t completely discuss. Financial difficulties are among the most significant obstacles. Repayment of student loans becomes a reality very quickly, and managing it can be difficult and complicated. Making payments is only one aspect of it; other aspects include planning, budgeting, and making choices that will affect your future.
The employment market comes next. There’s a theory that everything will work itself out once you graduate, that you’ll immediately start your career and find a full-time job. In reality, though, it’s frequently far more difficult than that. It may take some time to find the perfect position that fits your objectives, passions, and skills. Rejections can get frustrating, but they are a necessary part of the process. It’s necessary to realize that this is simply an aspect of learning, not a sign of failure.
Applying for graduate programs or jobs can also be highly stressful. Time, effort, and close attention to detail are needed for each. It can get exhausting and boring, especially when you’re managing different commitments. Even if it may not seem like it at the time, every application is a step forward and it will be important to be mindful of that.
One thing I’ve begun to understand is that there isn’t just one “correct” route to follow after graduation. Everybody goes at their own speed. While some will spend their time considering their options, others will have everything planned out before they graduate.
I would advise anyone who is about to graduate to be both patient and prepared. Whether it’s preparing for a major test like the DAT, applying to graduate programs, or starting a real career, start thinking about your goals early. Before they become serious, learn about basics like budgeting and loan repayment ahead of time. Above all, avoid comparing what you did to others.
Even though these four years have gone very quickly, they have also shaped our identities and potential. Graduation marks the start of a new chapter rather than just its end. It may seem overwhelming, unknown, and even a little frightening, yet there are plenty of opportunities waiting ahead of us.
We aren’t just stepping into our future with everything planned out, we are working step by step into it.