I have been in school for the majority of my life. What will my life be like now that I am about to graduat from college? How will i adapt?
The transition from college student to working professional affects almost all aspects of our life. Not only will you have to adapt at work, but you will also have to adapt to your new life outside of work. After graduating from college, i just figure it difficult to progress into the "real world." Here are some mind juggling questions ringing in my head.
How can I make new friends. After graduation,I and my college friends may disperse to other states in order to pursue careers. Eventually, I may lose touch with even my closest of friends. If this happens, it is imperative that I build new relationships. Make friends with people I will interact with or get involved with in my community.
How can I say goodbye to my copious free time. In college, it is easy to schedule classes only two or three days a week so you can have days off. However, once you have that full-time job, your days off will be few and far between. If you're lucky, you'll get two weeks of vacation at your first job. I purpose to use those two weeks to reenergize and spend my weekends (or whatever days I have an off) wisely too.
How can set my goals. Even though I have reached my goal of obtaining a college degree, I still have many more goals to achieve. What do I want to do with my professional life? Do I want to climb the corporate ladder? Own my own business? Turn my hobby into a career? What about my personal life? Do I want to buy a house? Travel the world? Do I see kids in my future? I do think hard about the goals that i want and strive every day to achieve them.
Can I change my sleeping habits. Once you enter the "real world," there will be no more staying up until six in the morning. Six o’clock will more than likely be the time one has to get up and get ready for work. Say goodbye to nap time too. With a standard forty-hour work week, one won't get to take five-hour naps anymore.
Purchasing work attire. Transitioning from a college student to a working professional means trading in those torn jeans and sneakers for more appropriate attire. If I want to be seen as a professional, I have to look the part. Save the t-shirts for the weekend and invest in a business appropriate ones to wear through the week.
Will I really find a place to crash. I really dont know where I am going to live after graduation. I don’t want to move back in with my parents (even though they don't object) and save some money. If I choose this option, ill be assured to discuss house rules with my parents. It's always hard for a college student, who has been pretty independent for the last four or more years, to move back in with his or her parents and follow their rules. Anyway I may be sure to discuss with them how much I have grown over the past few years. Not forgetting: if i want to be treated like an adult, i need to act like one. If moving back in with my parents is definitely not an option, then i have other decisions that i need to make. Rent or buy. Do I want a roommate? Do I want to move out of state? These are just a few of the questions I need to consider.
Networking wisely. As transition from college life to the working world, I cant overlook important associations that can contribute to my professional advancement. I will Stay in contact with old professors, friends, or family members who have connections with people in major corporations and organizations. These people may let me know when they are aware of opportunities that could benefit me.
Knowing what to expect after graduation and following some of these guidelines am saturn they should help launch my post college life on a positive note. The transition into the "real world" may be shocking at first, but i will become acclimated to it after a while. God bless us all headed that channel……!!!!
