Four years ago, you walked through the gates of your university and embarked on a new path. That path is ending and it is time for you to choose a new direction. Where will you go? How will you get there? What will you do when you get there?
For many students, graduation means a leap into the world of adulthood. Perhaps you have found a job, perhaps not. Either way, you have to move out (back home or into a new place) and move on (hopefully).
You would think after four years that you would know where you are going; but, that is not always the case. There are quite a few of us that need some extra time to figure out who we are, what we want and where we're going. And really, that is okay. In fact, it is probably better that you do some exploration now instead of tracking into a job or lifestyle immediately; only to find out after a year or two that after investing all that time, we really hate it.
Personally, I think it is more than okay to ramble about for a bit. Money and status is not everything. Sure, you get the bills paid this way and you have a nice apartment; but you also get headaches and ulcers if you go this route exclusively.
You really need to find your niche and do something that you enjoy doing. If you are one of the fortunate that also happens to find a job like this that pays well, that is terrific! If not, take joy in the fact that what you are doing is pleasing to you.
To those of you who are about to graduate, I salute you. And, if you remember nothing else that you have read here about college and life, remember this: Life does not always pay out in dividends, sometimes it pays out in simple joy (as in the joy of doing a job you love and doing it well). I hope you find your joy!
Until next time,
Lynn Byrne
Preparing for college admissions? Trying to find direction? Need a little help with the planning? Check out my college planning series:
- College Planning Made Easy--the planning and preparation workbook for the take charge, college-bound student,
- Paying for College Made Easy--a college financing guide designed to assist students and families in preparing and planning for higher education expenses; and
- The Great Scholarship Search--my guide for students and parents researching and applying for scholarship funding.
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