If you’re reading this then we can only presume you are gearing up to graduate. You’ve ordered your gown and you’re only days away from throwing your cap in the air (read: staging an Instagram snap of you throwing your cap in the air). It’s an epic feeling. You have graduated college. You’re buzzing with pride, glee and, quite possibly amazement.
However, you can also sense another emotion bubbling away under the surface, one that you don’t recognise, and that is anxiety. Yup. You’re about to enter the big bad world of adulthood. But in order to give you a padded landing, we have come up with some truths about what real world is really like.
Ignore What Grumpy People Say
Look, we’re not going to pretend that the real world is all strawberry milkshakes and unicorn rides on the beach. It isn’t. However, it can be fun if you make it fun. Invariably you are going to meet grumpy people who despise their life and that their job and believe they work five days a week just to enjoy the next two. Ignore these people. Your job can be fun, it can be meaningful and your weekdays can matter. It is an attitude decision you make.
The Paperwork Side Of It Sucks
You really have to stay on top of it, though, trust us. There will be things like taxes, 401K enrollments, dealing with private student loans that will help you consolidate your college debt, healthcare forms, paying rent on a tiny apartment, Netflix emails about how the monthly fee has gone up again and just about everything else you never knew existed. Well, it exists. So get on top of it early so that it becomes manageable.
Don’t Make Comparisons
Everyone that graduates college will have that one friend who moves to New York or Chicago or LA and lands the best job ever, making the whole job search seem a doddle. You will pretend you are mega proud of them – while actually hating them a bit – because within a month they have started making more money than both of your parents combined and you are forced to watch this through the stained glass of social media. Don’t. Don’t make comparisons. Just live your life as best as possible.
You Will Be Labelled Unfairly
You are part of the Millennial Generation, being labelled unfairly is part of it. You don’t have to put up with it, though. Those that label you in this way invariably need you. These people are just a little scared and intimidated, that’s all. They haven’t heard of the latest tech trends like Yammer and they admire your desire to give your life meaning. So be humble, ask lots of questions, be willing to learn and be willing to help. You don’t know everything, so don’t act like you do; it will sting you.
Your Major Will Not Matter
This is a realisation that shocks most recent graduates who end up getting a job that has absolutely nothing to do with their college degree and that life skills are far more important. Try not to worry about this too much, though. You are going to be in employment for around 40 years. That means you will have plenty of time to cement your career and degree in holy matrimony, or indeed find out you actually quite like the divorce and that your degree was almost entirely pointless.
I hope you enjoyed the post!
Thanks so much for reading, as always <3
Xoxo, Rae
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