Life After Undergrad: Now What? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Adulting

Life After Undergrad: Now What?

Life after undergrad is full of changes, new experiences, and new opportunities

185
Life After Undergrad: Now What?
Photo by MD Duran on Unsplash

So, I graduated. Finally, after two years of community college, and three at my four year university, I am now the proud owner of a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature, with a minor in Children's Literature, the world is right out in front of me for the taking. Currently, I am still trying to adjust to the feeling of no more classes, well at least for a while, graduate school can't wait forever, I still haven't deleted Canvas because I have this feeling that if I do, I'm going to miss something important. I'm still adjusting at home, trying to get myself organized and put together for the next six months before I start grad school in the Spring of 2022. I told myself that this Summer will be one to remember, I don't have to stress about packing my life up in three months to move back to a small town called Farmville, or stress about saving all my money (well I still stress about it but not as much as I used to), so that I can have some to take back to school with me. I am diving headfirst into my career with a part time job working with the Appomattox Regional Library System as a library associate at the Prince George branch. I'm planning for my future, and meeting new people while I do it.

Moving home was an adjustment, initially it wasn't my first choice, I wanted so badly to move to my boyfriend's hometown and begin my life with him, but that is something that will have to wait until we both establish ourselves in our careers some more and save some money. Which, I'm okay with, I wasn't at first but I am not, the weekend trips I take to see him and my friends who live down there are something that keeps me going and gets me through the hard days. Another thing about coming home was, I was truly scared I wouldn't have any friends here at home. But I do, and I'm so grateful for them, they stand by me and have my back no matter the situation.

Life after college seems to be muddled, and you're trying to find where you belong within the world outside of the bubble of your small college town and classes. I came home knowing that some people and I had grown apart and I had to come to terms with that once I moved home. Growing and changing is apart of life and even though it was something that blew up in my face initially and I still don't know how to feel about it quite yet, I am making my way towards the light at the end of the tunnel and I can begin healing. Throughout all of this my boyfriend has been my rock, and has helped me realize so much about myself, and how I deserve to be treated by people.

Throughout the last semester of school, I often wondered what it would be like to not have to worry about classes or grades, or professors, and while it is an amazing feeling it is also something quite foreign to me. Everyone who knows me, knows that I worry, a lot, over the smallest things sometimes and it is one of my worst features. I stress over everything and while it hasn't killed me yet, a goal I set for myself this summer is to channel all that stress and anxiety I tend to feel and put it into working out and bettering myself physically and emotionally. I let my self-care and my mental health fall by the wayside these last few months and I'm determined to get myself back to when I was the happiest. I'm not saying I'm not happy now, I am, I feel like I'm the happiest I've been in a few months! But I know I could be better about my body and my mind, so that is one of my goals this summer.

My other goal? Just to have as much fun as I can, make all the memories I can and live in the present. I love to take pictures so this summer and the rest of this year I am going to be using my polaroid and disposable cameras to capture moments that I love without the use of my phone. I will take pictures with my phone too but I miss the feeling of waiting for those photos to be developed and to see the memories physically in my hand. I am going to stop worrying about my future, and what everyone else is doing, but be present in my now and enjoy what is right in front of me. I am so grateful for the people I have in my life right now that push me to do better and to be better. These are the people who also have no problem laying around and watching iCarly on Netflix, but can also go out to a restaurant and order eight jello shots and race to finish them with one another. I love those people, and I can't wait to make more memories with them as the years go on.

To put it briefly; life after my undergrad years seems to be an adjustment period, which is okay, this is a time to grow and to try new things and make mistakes before diving completely into adulthood (I only consider myself a mini adult, and will continue to do so until I hit twenty-five). I am ready to take on all that life has to throw at me this year and everything else it has to offer me as I grow and change.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198395
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19763
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461560
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28689
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments