CGC: College Girl Code Surviving post-grad life
ZW-an anonymous college girl, Staff Writer
April 26, 2012
Filed under Opinion
Hello, ladies! Our time remaining in Dolphin Country is winding down with only a little over a week left of classes. For some of us, this batch of finals will be our last because we’re graduating. Congratulations to all the seniors — I wish you all luck in the real world!
This week, I’ve decided to address a topic that shortly awaits our senior friends: post-grad life. If you’re not yet graduating, take notes for your future but, if you are, then read up.
While you were in your early years of college, you probably felt like it was never going to end. You most likely felt untouchable, invincible, as if you could do anything you wanted. Now it‘s time to graduate and all of those feelings have probably changed.
I’m sure that there were many things you wished to accomplish before graduating from college — for example, get a job lined up or be accepted into a grad school. Unfortunately, for some of you, none of those things have happened yet. That’s okay! You don’t have to feel like all that’s left for you to do is sit and wonder why none of it is progressing at the speed of light.
Just remember these things take time. I know, I know. If you had a dime for every time someone told you that, you’d be a worry-free millionaire. However, the truth hurts. Even though that 20-something heart of yours may have a tough time dealing with baby steps, you have to come to the realization that success won’t hit you as fast as a tequila shot.
Learning how to take baby steps, now that should totally be a course offered by the college. How does one do so, you ask? It’s pretty simple, once you get the hang of it. Start with writing out a detailed financial plan and buying a huge calendar. If you have a job, start saving some extra money by working as many hours as possible, then work that income into your financial plan to spend over tiny trickles of time.
If worse comes to worst, you may still have to live at home with your parents for a while. Don’t worry; it’s not the end of the world. Just swallow your pride long enough to get on your feet and find a place of your own.
You could also share an apartment with someone. Find a roommate who is also living at home that wishes to break away. Make a detailed list of things that you’ll need for the apartment to make it the cute, shabby chic place of your dreams. Use every paycheck for a special trip to the local antique shop and buy one thing off that list. Using this tactic, you’ll have all the things you need in no time and you won’t have to spend a fortune on them! It may only seem like a completely minor action, but it gives you something to get excited about, and it saves you and your new roommate money.
These simple steps really will make all the difference. If you’re feeling like you’re burrowed into a pre-post-college rut, so to speak, write down two strong goals and come up with a manageable way to accomplish them. Take the advice from your infant self. Baby steps!
Congratulations again to all our graduating seniors! I hope that these little steps will help you just enough to get you going on your path to a successful future!
College Girl out!