Graduating from college is supposed to be the best time of a person’s life. There are many things to be delighted about after graduating college. You get to make your own decisions. You also get to set life for yourself. You have the chance to start a family, expand your network, and all the jazz. Graduating from a university is just the beginning. According to a survey, many young American adults are very optimistic and somewhat optimistic about the future. Optimism remains higher among the American adult population compared to most other adults. There are many points in a person’s life that can pull him down. Graduating is not one of them.
It doesn’t help to know that 1 out of every 5 people will not immediately get a job after college for at least a year. For those aged 25 to 34 years old, the employment rate was higher for those with masters and doctorate degrees. Only 80% of college graduates have work after graduating. In a harrowing survey, 45% of college graduates are still looking for work a year after graduating. This is not even counting those who are underemployed or employed under a position not befitting their degrees.
Life hits back pretty hard after graduation. Some are not prepared to face the music. What are some golden pieces of advice for the beloved fresh graduates?
You Can Always Say No
Saying no will always be an option. This advice goes for all persons — newly graduated or not. Self-empowerment is important in the growth of all persons. Establishing boundaries on what you can or cannot do is important for your personal growth. Not everyone can stomach doing something they hate, whether it is for their living or not. More often than not, a person can be pushed into a corner to absolutely choosing between a yes or no action. Respect yourself and the prior commitments you have with yourself and with others. Saying no will help you develop your own sense of self-worth.
You Have to Get What You Can
Not everything will be handed over to you. If you are lucky to have loving and generous parents, you may never have experienced people saying no to you or not having people coming over to answer your beck and call. In the real world, you have to get what you can. People will not just hand you things that you want. You have to get things for yourself. Independence is a big thing for young adults. A break into adulthood includes having the necessary tools to deal with any problem and adversity coming your way. However, sometimes, things won’t just be given to you. You have to get everything that you can when the opportunities arrive.
Be Flexible
Flexibility and adaptability is the name of the game in the digital age. There are many things to do that are entirely new for almost everyone in this generation. Because of the fast-paced business of shifting from one technology to another, being adaptable and flexible is a must for all young graduates. Flexibility opens your door to many other career options. It also allows you to reduce the stress your experience yourself.
Acknowledge Mistakes
Acknowledging and addressing mistakes is the purest form of growing and maturing. Making mistakes is just part of human nature. Admitting that you made an error in any action you did and that you are taking responsibility for it is part of the growing pains of a person. Always do the right thing about your learning. Responsibility is part of being a working part of society. To not acknowledge your mistakes is a big misstep towards building a more stable community.
Your Health Matters
Your physical health, both internal and external, and your mental health all matter. People tend to become busier right after graduating from universities. While pursuing one’s career should be a person’s priority right off the bat, a lot tend to forget how important it is to maintain your overall health during all the murkiness of work. Give yourself a chance to recuperate from the long-term damage your pursuit of a career might give you. Exercise daily, wear sunscreen when you can, practice skincare routines on the go, meditate when stressed, and eat plenty of greens are just a few of the things you can do to take care of your mind and body. Stop being unforgiving to your physical body. It’s the only one you’ve got.
Connections Matter
Connections absolutely matter as you age. Making connections is often taken for granted as they go through daily life. However, connections can net you more positives in life. If, for example, you need another opportunity to go to another field, tapping into your connections will be easy. Expanding your connections is an easy way to make new friends as well.
