Some will go on to graduate school, but the rest of us will enter the workforce. This is the last semester we’ll have the chance to deal with the highs and lows that come with college. The question of “Now what?” applies well here, as we consider the next step in our lives. The adjustment from college to working a 9-5 can be a tough one (or so I’m told). This is my first time dealing with this, too. I wanted to come up with a few ideas that might help with your own adjustment, while our final semester begins in a few, short days.
1. Keep your friends/family/significant others/support system close
It’s no lie that the folks who make up our support systems have helped us through college in various ways, regardless of the actual size of the system. For me personally, I owe a lot to my support system. After graduation, don’t forget the friends you’ve made and the memories you’ve shared. Call your parents and family when you can’t see them. Get together with your girlfriend/boyfriend if you haven’t in a while.
2. Remember the memories – both positive and negative
I say negative above because of what I’ve been through. We all have down times in our lives. I learned from those negative times and grew from it. I’m not the same person I was as a freshman, and I like the person I am now. If I focus solely on the positive, I lose something important – what I learned along the way. Don’t forget the things you’ve done in your career during this semester and after. Remember the moments that made you laugh out loud, and those that made you cry.
3. Realize “The Final Countdown” can be bittersweet
I think the last semester should be one of celebration, but also one of reflection. Like I said above, we’re not going to experience these things again. We should be able to feel happy that we experienced it, but saddened over the fact that it’s ending. I say, if you want to shed a few tears when the hats fly up in May, do it. This is your day, after all. Feel the emotions you want – before or after the semester ends.
4. Focus on your work in the semester, and then your job after it’s over
To me, this one’s important. I’ve learned that if you stay busy, it’s difficult to think about what’s on the horizon or what’s bothering you. This could be as simple as going to the gym or having dinner with a friend you don’t see often. No matter how you do it, keep busy with your week and leisure activities during the semester, and then focus on the job given to you after you graduate. That’ll hopefully help with lingering feelings, especially after the tassels are turned.
5. Remember to think about the “now”, and not the “later”
Like I said above, we have a limited time left in college, so focus on the moment. Don’t focus on what’s coming in a week, a month, or even a year. I know that’s easier said than done (something that I struggle with myself), but this might be the perfect time to practice it. If friends, SOs, etc. want to do something, not only do it, but enjoy it. For your friends, this might be the last time you’ll be able to get together whenever you want, so cherish those moments.
6. Don’t forget you’re not alone out there
If you go to a college with a small community like I do, everyone knows each other. Some people say this is a bad thing, but I disagree. The people I go to school with won’t hesitate to help you when you’re at your lowest. When you return to your college or university, I want you to look around at your classmates. Understand that they’re in the same position as you. You should be able to talk with a friend or classmate and know they understand exactly how you feel. You’re not alone.
