By: Collin Moran, Special To the Lions’ Pride (Previous Digital Content Editor)
College is usually regarded as one of the best times of people’s lives. Like most things as you’re going through it, writing seemingly endless term papers and struggling to work for some spending money on the side, it seems like it is an eternity, but when you finally reach the end it has all gone by in the blink of an eye. Whether your journey took four, five, or even six years, it’s likely it wasn’t enough time to experience all of the things that college has to offer. From the wealth of knowledge you tap into every day in the classroom, to the friends you get to see almost every waking hour, or eating at a dining hall where endless amounts of food are ready for you whenever you want, college is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
While this year is unlike any other for graduating college seniors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the feat of graduating with a degree and living through the college experience is something to be so proud of. Graduation time comes with many questions, many of which come from the stresses of leaving your safe space for the last handful of years and moving out into the real world. It’s a scary but also an exciting time in a young adult’s life, a crossroad of decisions, and each one of you will probably take a different journey from here on out. I have only been out of school for one year and there are still so many questions I have, but here are some things that I wish I knew when I graduated:
Savor this Unique Moment in Your Life
It is a little bit different for this year’s graduating class because many of you have already been away from school for a couple of months, but it is important to take some time for yourself and reflect on what you’ve accomplished. I think it is well deserved to take a week off after graduation and reward yourself. Only roughly a third of the people in this country have obtained the same level of education as yourself, and while it might not always seem like it, you have set yourself apart from the rest with your hard work and dedication. So before freaking out about not having a job yet or wondering what’s next, take some time for yourself and appreciate all of the hard work you put into getting here.
Collin’s advice includes staying connected with the friends and faculty that were positive influence over your college career and where possible thank them for their impact.
It is Okay to not Land Your Dream Job Right Away
Again, this is an uncertain time in your life and it can be stressful, it certainly doesn’t help thinking that everybody else has landed their dream career right away while you still don’t know how to get there. It is completely fine to not land a position at your dream company right away, or not know exactly what you want to use that new shiny degree for. Some people know exactly what they want to do and some do get in with their favorite company after graduation, but the reality is that isn’t the case for most people. Now is the time to get out there and earn that valuable work experience to help bolster your resumè so one day you are experienced enough to go after that dream job. Take some time to try out different jobs to see what you like, save some money for the future, and remember that it is totally normal not to make it big right out of the school.
Moran (center) graduated in the class of 2019 with a Bachelors Degree in professional writing. Moran emphasizes the importance of savoring this moment in time.
Stay Connected with your Friends, and Thank Faculty and Staff who have Helped You.
Since COVID-19 shut down your senior year early, it is even more important to stay connected with your college friends seeing that you most likely didn’t get that big send-off get together you were hoping to have. Stay connected online and over the phone, once this all calms down try and get together, go to alumni weekend if that’s the easiest, but just make sure to keep up with those connections, because you tend to keep many of your college friends for a lifetime.
It’s also important to thank the faculty and staff who have helped you get to this point. Typically around graduation time, you would be able to see them and interact, reflecting on your time there and how they helped you get to the end, but during these unusual times, it might be beneficial to send out some emails letting them know how much they made an impact on you. These people you learn from, whether in or out of the classroom may be able to help you out well beyond your time
