How to Plan for Life After College

The thought of life after college can be an intimidating one: you're forced to leave the cocoon of friends and activities that comprised the last four or so years of your life. But life must go on, and there are some ways of making that transition just a little bit smoother.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Decide whether you plan to start working right after you graduate or if you want to go on to graduate school. If you decide that graduate school is the path for you, begin the process of applying to different schools as soon as possible. Be aware of application deadlines and make sure to get yours in on time.

2. Look for a job your senior year if you plan to work immediately after graduation. It is never too early to start looking. You will be competing with thousands of other people graduating at the same time as you around the country, so act early and job hunt rigorously.

3. Find an internship, part-time job or even a volunteer position during your senior year that will give you experience in your chosen field. Even if you go on to graduate school after obtaining your undergrad degree, this experience could be invaluable for making a good impression on graduate program applications.

4. Begin working on your resume or curriculum vitae in preparation for either job or graduate school applications. Ask your school's career counselor or a trusted professor to help you build your resume and make it look as professional as possible.

5. Get into a regular routine that does not involve staying up until 2 a.m. and getting up at noon. Once you have an 8 to 5 job, the impact of such a dramatic schedule change will hit hard if you don't start planning for it ahead of time.

6. Decide where you will live after graduation. If you want to have your own apartment, start looking for one and make preparations to move there. If you plan to move back into your parents' house, start mentally preparing for the adjustment you will have to make in living with them again.

7. Start saving money if you have a part-time job. Even if you live with your parents after graduating, you will need to have a monetary stash until you find regular employment.

8. Create a budget for yourself. This may be the first time you will have to pay for utilities or your own food, so plan ahead for these various needs. Don't forget to include money for savings in your budget.

Tips & Warnings

• Start networking with the people you know and meet to build resources for your job pursuit. You never know when you might meet someone who can offer you a job or who knows someone who can.

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[jpoll43]

on 5/9/2008 This is a great intro to planning for life after college, and I recently came across a new, free e-book that's all about leaving school and entering the real world as well. It was very relatable like this piece. Check it out at http://www.gradspot.com/book