Thinking about life after graduation can be intimidating for soon-to-be graduates. After several years of the same college routine, it can be overwhelming to transition to a completely different schedule. Students can feel pressured when they have to find a job, somewhere to live, and a new community all within a short time.
Transitioning from college to adult life requires a lot of planning and responsibility. With guidance from family and friends, and by knowing the steps you need to take to become financially and socially independent, you can be successful in your next stage of life.
Here are five strategies to help you transition from college to adulthood.
Take control of your finances.
Once college is over, you may find yourself in debt or lacking money as you work to pay off your tuition and earn a consistent income. This can be a daunting task if you don’t come up with a financial plan or create a budget.
Whether you’re trying to pay off your debt or build your finances, sticking to a budget will bring you financial freedom. A budget helps you to pay off your bills while allowing you to put extra money aside for yourself. EveryDollar and Goodbudget are free apps that make creating a personal budget and tracking everyday spending easy. You can also create a strategic plan for paying off your loans by deciding which loans to pay off first. Starting with smaller loans can build your confidence while tackling large ones with high interest, which will greatly benefit your financial future. It is important that you have an emergency fund while paying off your loans as well. Even having $1,000 set aside will help ease any financial stress you may have.
Career prep.
An essential step to landing your first job after college is to prepare for all of your big career steps. While you may have started your resume and practiced public speaking in college, there are a few things to consider if you want to stand out from other candidates and coworkers.
Make sure your resume is updated with all of your relevant work experience and has clear and modern formatting. Ensure your use of grammar is correct and your writing is concise and easy to read. You can prepare for your first interview by having a mentor look over your resume or help you with a mock interview. This will allow you to prepare your answers to possible interview questions. Don’t be afraid to research multiple industries during your job search to find a career that you’re passionate about.
Ask for help.
One of the best things you can do as you transition into adulthood is to ask for help from those older than you. Even if they didn’t go to college, they can offer you wisdom in your time of transition.
Consider finding a mentor within your church, or someone who is in your desired career field or industry. Ask them how they got to where they are in their career and what they wish they had done when they were applying to work. They may even give you advice on your resume and know of job openings.
Prioritize having a healthy work-life balance.
Once you have a full-time job, it’s important that you properly manage your time and new responsibilities. This will require you to modify your schedule and how you manage your time. While the amount of free time you have will change, it is important to still allow time for investing in others and yourself.
Add your work schedule to your calendar so you know how much free time you have. From there, consider meeting with your friends weekly or getting involved in your church’s community. Having healthy relationships is crucial to your success after college, so be sure to keep up with your friends and family as you develop new ones. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by going to the gym or walking outside in your free time. A healthy work-life balance will benefit your mental health and help you stay on the path to long-term success.
Recognize that transition takes time.
Something to remember while transitioning out of college is that big life changes take time. However, this can be a hard reality to accept when you want everything to line up immediately after graduation.
Give yourself grace as you adjust to your new community and work environment. Understand that it may take a few work experiences to find out what you like in a job. You may not land your dream job right after graduation, but every experience is going to help you find what you’re passionate about. With this perspective, every opportunity that you are given is a learning experience and a stepping stone to something greater.
Confidence is the key to success after college. Apply to positions you know fit your passions and experience — but don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore different industries. Be responsible and resourceful with your schedule but remember to give yourself grace as you adjust to this new season of life.