Leaving college can be tricky for many students, as they take jobs in the "real world" far away from the comforts and security of campus life Build a routine.
The best thing to do is gain a routine —don't waste your time. I go to the gym 3 times a week and it helps me stay on course and was the first stepping stone in getting my life organized.
Don't worry if you don't land your dream job.
Even if it's not your dream job, get one. Nothing scares employers quite like a gap in work history.
Take advantage of the resources around you.
when you're starting your new job, there is no shame in asking your HR person for some help in finding an internet connection, tax forms, health insurance, or anything else
Be careful with your money.
You've been living on $10k/ year for 4 years. Continue to do this, pay off your debt ASAP save a stack and continue to save. Do not live beyond your means, or you will quickly become dependent on your job.
Become a local.
"The most important thing for me was to make it as normal as possible while still living it up. I wanted to know how to get from my apartment to the grocery store without GPS
Make healthy choices.
The only thing I slightly increased spending on is better quality food, because I can afford it and it's good for you
Make sure you're active.
Exercise feels amazing after sitting at a desk all day
Learn to navigate your new city.
"When you move to a new city, take every opportunity to explore it. Go downtown, go to the parks, go to the museums, go to the bars. Learn how the city is laid out, and learn how to get around."
Take your job seriously.
"The principal rules I've found are be good, show up on time, be nice. Pick two and you'll do fine most places."
Realize you're not at college anymore.
"One important thing I did not anticipate is that my free time is now precious
Keep Building and Maintaining Your Friendships
Making friends after college is hard, but meaningful friendships make a big difference on almost every aspect of your life for decades to come. So make an effort to stay in touch with the friends closest to you now and make new friendseven as you get busy with work.
Know How to Brand Your “Useless” College Degree
Not everyone graduates with one of the best-paying degrees. If yours is among those with the worst return on your money, not all hope is lost. During your job search, even a “useless” degree can be shown as valuable.
Start Cooking for Real
Given the tiny (or nonexistent) kitchens most college students deal with and perhaps too much prior assistance from Mom & Dad restaurant, cooking isn’t a skill universal to college grads. Pick up some essential kitchen skills, learn how to make some basic meals and still stay within your food budget, and brush up on other top cooking tips you should know.
Figure Out If Grad School Is Worth It
If you’re graduating college and still don’t know what to do next, graduate school is an option. Figure out which graduate degrees are worth the debt and find out if graduate school might be worth it for you.
Find the Best Place to Live
After college, you have the freedom to go anywhere. You might want to stay where you are or move back to your hometown, which is fine too, but if you’re considering where to head to find a new job, check out our roundup of tips for finding the best place to live. If you do move to a new area, here’s how to easily settle down there—even if it’s an expensive city and you’ve got a limited budget.
Get Your Money in Order
Once out of college, your financial picture will probably change. Maybe you have student loans and other debt to deal with, no more support from your parents, and income that you have to budget. Here’s our guide to managing your finances and tackling debt. By the way, recent (and current) students can expect some unique breaks from the tax man. Keep this in mind when April 15 rolls around again and you can get some financial relief. Also, even though retirement might seem like a distant, vague event, now’s the best time to start investing for your retirement, even if you can put just a little aside.
Work on Gaining Additional Skills
You can become more hireable by developing additional skills, whether it’s a new language, HTML, or any other skill valued in the workplace. It could not only broaden your job and career options, learning new skills can boost your brain and make you happier. Never stop learning.
Deal with Those Student Loans
keeping up with your payments or else your credit can really get ruined and worse.
Prepare for Your First Job
You might have held jobs in college, but once you’ve got your diploma in hand, it’s time to completely dive into the work you want to do. Learn how to ace your job interview and create a great resume.
Congrats to all the grads!
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