Post-Grad Life: First Month

Walking across that stage and taking my diploma in hand was one of the most empowering experiences I’ve ever had. Getting a college degree is an accomplishment that not everyone can claim. I can now tell the world that I’m a college graduate, but having said that, the title comes with a little weight.

Well, a lot of weight. The weight of the world, actually.

Even though I’m just a month in to this whole graduated, time-to-make-a-life-for-yourself season, I’ve learned a few things that I thought I’d share for those ready to knock on Graduation’s door.

1. It’s freeing

Honestly, college life was awesome, but being done with school is amazing. You don’t have to worry about research papers, straight A’s, credit hours, classes, and tests in the near future. Papers  I write, are papers I want to write. Books I read, are books I want to read. I can drink coffee at night because I enjoy an evening hot beverage not because I have to stay up late finishing homework assignments. It’s wonderful!

2. You can’t avoid the “what are your plans?” question

I know we mean well (I say we because I’ve asked it too), but it’s not a graduate’s favorite question. When you don’t have something specific lined up, it’s like answering how to harness a star out of the sky. The best thing to do is to have a logical, standard answer that doesn’t leave you babbling or sounding like you have no idea what’s going on. It’s a challenge, I promise.

3. Job Applications are the devil.

As you’re thrust into adulthood, you have the daunting task of filling out what feels like 1000 job applications. In doing that, you create a resume, you write and rewrite cover letters, and then you either receive rejections or no answer at all until you finally get a job. If you’re lucky, all that work will be for the job you actually want. Just another yucky part of the working world that you simply have to buckle down and accept.

4.You will have self doubt

When you have dreams and goals to pursue, one of the biggest obstacles you will face is doubting you’ll ever reach them. We live in such an instantaneous society that the need to be successful yesterday sometimes clouds our judgement of reality. Your dreams will take time, perseverance, and hard work. You have to remind yourself that you are capable and that with God, you can handle anything.

5. People will give you advice

You will get a lot of suggestions from well-minded people. It may be overwhelming and confusing at times, but it’s best to listen to the advice from people who have experienced a lot more of life than you. Take it, listen to it, and apply it when you can. Don’t think that you can figure it all out yourself. You will quickly learn otherwise.

6. God is in control

“The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand…”

Isaiah 14:24

He knows your life a week, a month, a year from now, and He knows what He wants for you. If both your desires are on the same path, you can trust that He is in control of what’s best for you.

Jesus is the only true comfort I have as I go through this season of uncertainty, and I know He isn’t planning on leaving me anytime soon.

Searching is tough, not knowing is tough, figuring out a plan is tough. No one ever promised it would be easy, but as a friendly gentleman at the gym told me, “God has a plan before you have a plan.”

The road will probably get harder, but I know I can always trust in God’s plan.

God Bless!

-LJM

Jeremiah 29:11