College graduation is a crazy time. Suddenly, the past four years have flown by and you’re looking ahead to (gah) the real world. You’re leaving a place you’ve called home, the people you’ve eaten every meal with, and everything familiar – just like four years ago when you arrived.
I’m coming up on my grad school graduation in just a few weeks, and I feel like I have a much better appreciation for this time 7 years ago when I was graduating from Providence College. (Wow, I’m old. Where were you in May 2008?)
My advice to those of you young’uns graduating college in the next few weeks…
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Make a list of the things you want to do before you leave, even if it’s as silly as sitting outside together with your roommates on a sunny day.
Don’t stress. If you’re leaving school without a job ahead like I did, don’t freak out about it. Che sera, sera. Enjoy the time you have left at school, and worry after you’ve walked across the stage.
Celebrate! I remember the last night before leaving campus like it was just yesterday. Providence College let us stay on campus the night of graduation, so we walked the stage, got our diplomas, and celebrated with family, then reconvening for one last night together on campus. It seemed like my entire class was at this one bar, one last time. When “our song” came on (Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” – long story), everyone. freaked. out. And it was awesome.
If you’re graduating, congratulations! These last few weeks will fly by. Make the most of them!
All such good points! I try to advise my three little brothers against feeling superrr pressured to find a job immediately after graduating. I remember how much pressure I felt when I was a senior; everybody that already had jobs locked down from previous internships etc. I ended up getting a job and moving across the country less than a month after graduating. I don't regret, but looking back, that would have been really nice time to spend with my family and just enjoy the moment. Che sera, sera, is right!