The post grad journey
Lessons I Learned From My First Year Post Grad
For as long as we can remember, we’ve all been in the same spot. School made it easy, we all were in the same space, same grade, same stage. Even in college with different majors, the cycle stayed the same. Sophomore slump, the crisis about the major you picked, finally getting into the classes you want junior year, then dreaming of graduation senior year. But after throwing the cap in the air, something shifted. Some moved far, some moved home, some accepted their “dream job” while others were still waiting to get interviews.
The transition from college to the working world is a big adjustment. But even with this being a common life phase most people endure, it doesn’t make it any easier. We all see our friends from college posting on LinkedIn about their new jobs, on Instagram having fun new cities, on Facebook having time to visit family. In the day and age of social media, we see what looks like perfect lives from everyone we know so soon after graduating, making us feel like we missed something.
So the comparisons starts. What did they do that I didn’t? How can they afford that trip/that apartment/that car their first year working? Did I do something wrong? The short answer is no, but that is hard for us to believe.
I had a lot of growing pains my first year post grad. Moving nine hours away from my family to Dallas was quite the change from my small college town of Auburn. I was excited, but nervous. I was taking a step into the adult world without the safety net of familiarity. Moving away right after college made the growing pains of post grad even worse and forced me to really focus on what I was looking for in my working life.
Some of the things I learned I still have to give myself grace on. The process isn’t a straight line and you’ll have times when you find yourself wishing for the comfort of college that you can’t have again. But you just need to remind yourself of these three things when things seem tough.
Everyone is on their own timeline.
This couple got engaged. This person got their dream job. This person gets to work remote and has all the time in the world. They just got a puppy. They just bought a house (and you wonder how in the world they could afford it). It will only make you feel worse if you constantly look at others and compare it to where you sit. Try and look at your situation in the realm of you. You’re at a job that might not be your favorite, but you’re learning. You have a small apartment but it’s yours. You’re saving to go on that trip that you can’t afford right now, but you’re taking the right steps. If you look just at your life and how things are unfolding, you’ll realize things might be hard but they aren’t so bad.
2. You probably won’t make a lot of money your first year and that’s normal.
Don’t set unrealistic expectations on yourself financially so early in your career. It’s rare to make a lot of money right out the gate. As long as you can pay your bills and save a little, you’re doing just fine. I’ve always believed that your 20s are about gaining experience and having fun with what you have, so don’t feel the pressure to make a high salary to be on track.
3. Don’t let work be the only thing you do.
It’s easy to get caught up in this cycle when you first start working: go to work, get home, eat, get in bed. And the cycle repeats day in and out. While it does take time to get adjusted to your new schedule, try to find something that brings you joy outside of your work routine. It could be as small as getting a treat after work on Thursdays, going on walks in the afternoon when its nice, having a creative outlet or making yourself be social one night a week after work. This will help you grow and not become stuck in your own little world feeling lonely. Find joy in all things!
I am no expert on how things are supposed to go, or the right solution to fix the feelings that come after graduating. But I do know that things get easier, you just have to keep moving forward!