Life After Graduation: Navigating the Unknown

So you made it. It feels like just a moment ago you were a child without a care in the world, and now you're here. You're a big kid now, about to walk across that stage and into adulthood. The world is your oyster, and the only question left to answer is: What do you do now?

The way I see it, there are three main options after you graduate: get a job, go back to school, or figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life. Each path comes with its own set of pros and cons.

Getting a Job

The first option is to get a job. This route means you start earning money, kick-start your career, and generally enjoy a more stable lifestyle than you did in undergrad. Seriously, the people I know who took this path have a sort of light in their eyes that comes from a life free of homework and exam nightmares.

However, jumping straight into the workforce isn't always a smooth ride. Many graduates find themselves sending out countless job applications with little to no response, sinking deeper into unemployment despair. Others land entry-level positions that involve grunt work and submission, spending years working their way up to where they actually want to be. Even those who secure decent jobs often face the reality of being locked into an industry they chose at the age of 17, a time when their decision-making was heavily influenced by hormones and emotional fluctuations.

Continuing Education

The second option is to go back to school. This choice allows you to delay the scary parts of adulthood a bit longer, clinging to the security of the student lifestyle while hopefully focusing on something you're really interested in. But, you're still broke, still unsure about what you want to do next, and still a student.

In my case, I chose to go back to school, which seemed like one of the safest options. Why deal with the problem now if you can delay it for a couple more years? Plus, entering the job market in this economy didn't appeal to me. So, I decided to sink thousands more dollars into another degree, hoping it would make me marginally more employable in the future.

Figuring Out Your Life

The third option is to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life. This path sounds daunting, but it's also the perfect excuse to travel, try new things, and experience life like never before. When will you next have this much time, energy, and freedom just for you? Isn't the world your oyster?

While this option is enticing, it comes with its own set of challenges. There's no steady income, no clear career path—just vibes. It's like an endless summer break that never ends, even when you want it to. The only person who can pull you out of this limbo is yourself. It's one of the most delayed forms of gratification because you have no idea when or if the reward will ever come.

The Reality of Post-Graduation Life

I finished my undergrad last spring, which means it's been pretty much a year for me out here. And let me tell you, it's been a mixed bag of feelings. I have to be honest with you: I've struggled.

I've chosen the path of going back to school, but it's not been without its challenges. Continuing education is not just an extension of undergrad. As someone in a professional degree program studying something different from my undergrad, it's like starting all over again. I go through the same feelings I had as a freshman, trying to adapt to a new environment, feeling lost, and consistently getting things wrong. It's demoralizing and never-ending.

The Illusion of the Perfect Path

One of the big issues with the three options you have after graduation is that no matter which one you pick, it always seems like there's something better you could be doing. Even if you stand by your choice, there's always enough doubt to make you question whether you're on the right path.

We're constantly bombarded with messages that life is short, our 20s are the best decade of our lives, and we're in our prime. This pressure makes it impossible not to question if we're making a mistake, if we're on the wrong path, or if we're not setting up our future correctly.

Embracing Uncertainty

Over the past year, I've slowly come to terms with the idea that there's no "right" way things are supposed to be. Obviously, we all want happy, fulfilling, and meaningful lives, but we shouldn't worry so much about making the "wrong" choice because there isn't a single correct answer. There are many paths to a fulfilling life, and it's better to think of them as just paths rather than right or wrong paths.

If you take a break and sit on a bench to rest for a bit, that's okay. It's all part of being on the path. Just being on the path is enough.

Finding Comfort in Shared Experiences

While it might feel like you're alone in your post-grad struggles, remember that everyone else is finding their way too. You'll know people with jobs, people going back to school, and people figuring it out. Everyone's doing their own thing for once, and that can be scary. But the only thing you're all doing is being scared together.

If you're really looking for something to cling to in this tumultuous phase of life, let it be that shared fear and uncertainty. If that's what you're feeling, know that it's normal and okay.

Conclusion

I don't have all the answers. I've only graduated a year ago, so I'm still figuring things out. Maybe in a couple of years, I'll have more insight. What keeps me going are the nice parts: walks, friends, new adventures, and accomplishments. There are times when the benefits of my decisions come through, and other times when the disadvantages bite me. But it feels better because these are my decisions now.

Not everyone goes to university or college, and that's a decision in itself. But more people are seeking higher education as a baseline to enter the workforce these days, so it's not entirely a free decision.

The thing about life after graduation is that you don't really have to do anything anymore. Everyone's scared, but we're all scared together. If you're feeling unsure about your path, know that it's normal. If you've cracked the code and have wisdom to share, please let me know in the comments. And as always, thank you for reading and joining me on this journey.