Dear Graduating Senior,
The aftermath of final exams and graduation celebrations will soon be setting in, and you’re forced to face this “real world” everyone’s been talking about for the past few years. You realize that being a college student had its perks and that you don’t have as much figured out as you thought you would by this time. Whatever you do, don’t panic. You’re not alone!
A large number of people who graduate from college don’t have a specific plan for what’s next. It might not seem like it, but trust me, most of us don’t really have a clue. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. There’s absolutely no need to know exactly what your career path will be, where you will settle down or how many kids you’ll have at this very moment. These are things that will fall into place as you go along. Life is very hard to plan, and if you focus too much on creating one, you might end up passing on some pretty amazing opportunities.
Now, don’t misunderstand. If you’re one of those people who landed that dream job of yours right out of college, congratulations! However, post-grad life can be about so much more than landing a perfect job and starting your career right away. I guess what I’m saying is to try to go with the flow. Embrace the fact that this time in your life will be filled with much uncertainty and a whole lot of adjusting, and that this is perfectly normal. Try to spend your time doing whatever feels right for you. Don’t feel obligated to start your career right away if you’re not ready for it. If traveling and seeing the world is what seems most tempting to you, go for it! Do your best to make the most out of the time in your life where you have fewer attachments with only yourself to worry about. As long as you’re doing something you love that gives you joy, it will never be a waste of time!
Try to keep in mind that whatever you choose to do, it will not lock you down or define the rest of your life. It’s okay to try and fail. That’s a part of life. The world is your playground, and you decide how to play with it. No matter how many times you fall off the swing set or trip and scrape your knee, you can always get back up and start over again or try something new.
The most important thing is to not feel pressured to do what you’re “supposed to do,” but rather what you want to do. It’s YOUR life, after all. You’re free to do whatever you want with it!
Congratulations, you’ve got a wild amazing ride ahead of you! We wish you the best.Â
HCxo,
The Her Campus Cal Lutheran Staff.