“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” — Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
It’s that time a year where social media is covered by graduation photos! Graduating from high school and college are two of the biggest transitions that young adults experience.
Graduation means that possibilities are endless; it also means that new fears and anxieties are likely to arise full force. The reality is by the time most of us graduate from college we have been in some form of structured education since kindergarten—that is at least 17 years of having a predictable schedule and structure for your days and years. 17 years—that is the majority of your life when you graduate college at 22 years old.
So over the next few weeks I plan to share with you insights, questions, and ideas that I have learned from my own experience in transition, through my work as a counselor, and by asking recent graduates what questions have arisen as they navigate “adulthood”.
So lets jump on in…
“I have so much more time now that I am not studying or taking classes–what do I do with my time?”
- Invest in quality relationships; I make a point here when I say “quality relationships”, relationships are going to look different once you aren’t on the same campus, or living in the same apartment, or taking the same classes. Seek out the friends that are going to support you, encourage you in who you are and what you are doing, challenge you, and have grace when you can’t make it to a hang out.
- Plan dinners, meet up to exercise, or sign up for an activity or club sport together;
- Upon graduating you will begin to notice which friendships continue past college, don’t be afraid to meet new people or say goodbye to some friendships.
- Find a mentor. This could be a perfect time to connect with a mentor that can encourage in support you in personal, professional, or spiritual life (maybe even all three!)
- Try new things. Maybe you have always been interested in art and never had the time or extra energy to commit to it during school, find a local art class and begin taking classes. Maybe its cirque—sign up for a trapeze class. Really what I have learned is the possibilities seriously are endless and trying new things also means meeting new people. I joined a crossfit gym almost two years ago and my classmates are some of my favorite people to see each week as they have almost become family.
- Learn to cook. We can all admit that in college it was so much easier to order the $5 hot and ready pizza then actually make dinner for yourself. Take advantage of the extra time and learn how to make new foods, explore different interest, perhaps you will realize that vegetables really aren’t that gross. A few companies even offer affordable to ways to have new recipes with all the ingredients shipped to your house, for example Home Chef or Blue Apron.
- Embrace downtime. There is value in having alone time or even time when you aren’t attending a party, making plans, or being active. Below are a few ideas of what you could do during this time:
- Learn what rest truly means;
- Organize your $, your home, or your life;
- Research health insurance / car insurance / whatever new “adult” thing you now have to have;
- Read a book for enjoyment or to increase knowledge in a specific area;
- Learn about yourself;
- Spend time developing your own understanding of faith and God;
- Set obtainable and manageable goals for all areas of your life.
In my upcoming posts I plan to address the questions of career/job expectations, figuring out who you are, what to do with loneliness, and how to enjoy growing up during struggles and frustrations, loneliness!
Please let me know if you have an additional question that I have not mentioned! You can contact me through the contact form that appears when you select “Contact Us” in the upper right hand corner of each page of the web site.