How to Adjust to Post-College Life

Growing up and graduating college can be one of the scariest rights of passage. Every year millions of twenty-something individuals leave the rose colored world of higher education in exchange for a full time or two part time jobs. How's a person to adjust? It's easy. Just follow the steps below and soon you can ease into your reality.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An open mind and confidence
• Supportive family and friends
• A journal
• Movies
• Music

1. 

   Open your mind and realize life is going to change. However, change doesn’t have to be bad.

2. Start thinking about where you want your life to go both professionally and personally. What are your passions?

3. 

   Keep a record of your thoughts, dreams, and goals in a journal. Try to make entries at least once a week. It’ll help clear your mind and bring clarity.

4. 

   Confide in close relatives or friends about how you’re feeling. Try to find someone who will listen and not condemn your feelings.

5. 

   Watch a movie about people at the threshold of change. Most ideas for films come from someone’s personal experience. These suggestions include:
   • With Honors
   • Mona Lisa Smile
   • The Devil Wears Prada
   • St. Elmo’s Fire
   • School Daze
   • The Adventures of Sebastian Cole
   • Before Night Falls

6. If you’re unemployed begin researching companies you’d like to join as an employee. Compose a resume and custom cover letter for each job opening. Have someone read over and proofread before sending them in.

7. Stay persistent. Know that you can’t accomplish everything in a day, week, or month. Creating your new life will take time. But realize that it takes the shape you give it. Don’t underestimate positive thinking. Stay away from complaining.

8. Take time to enjoy yourself regularly.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish to listen to music as you write go for it!
• Hang out with your friends when you can. Each time you hang out doesn’t have to be a deep conversation about life. Sometimes just going out is nice. Remember they are going through the same thing as you.

[betterbody]

on 8/8/2009 5 * and a recommend for these great tips. Love your avatar-how did you get the cat to smile?

[wejustgraduated]

on 6/12/2009 Great article
I am looking to interview recent college grads if anyone is interested

[elyria]

on 2/5/2009 This is a wonderful article and I wish I read it several years ago :)

[jolinarodriguez]

on 11/17/2008 Good article get some ideas on how to manage life and career.

keep it touch
http://jolinarodriguez.blogspot.com/

[WriterGig]

on 10/27/2008 I was excited to leave college and get started on "real life" but this is a great article on making the transition.