How to Approach College Graduation and the Transition into the Real World

College is undoubtedly a privilege and a time in life that is unlike any other. Maybe you’ve been having the time of your life in college and are struggling to come to terms with it ending. Or maybe college has been difficult for you and you’re counting down the days until you get to walk across the stage. Chances are, you’re somewhere in between. Whatever the case may be, the transition from college into the real world is a big one and it can certainly feel daunting. Read on for six tips that will help you make this transition as smoothly as possible.

1. Utilize your school’s career center

Most colleges have a career center and career counselors that are available for their students for free. This is a great resource and something you will not have immediate access to anymore after you graduate. Take advantage of it! Whether you need help with choosing a career path, fixing your resume, preparing for an interview, or submitting graduate school applications, the career center is there for you. 

2. Make sure your LinkedIn is up to date

Now is the time to spend less time on TikTok and more time on LinkedIn. Many jobs nowadays ask for your LinkedIn profile when you apply. It’s a good idea to make sure it’s up to date and is painting you in the best light possible. Make sure you have a professional headshot done for your profile picture. You’ll also want to write a strong bio to share your skillset and what you are interested in doing. Go on LinkedIn every few days and add people that you know or are interested in working with. LinkedIn has thousands of job postings, so it’s a good idea to check out the ones in your field to get an idea of what is out there.

3. Get a letter of recommendation from your favorite professor 

Do you have a professor whose class you particularly excelled in? Did you have an on campus job where you formed a good relationship with your supervisor? Start thinking about the faculty on campus who have seen you at your best and can speak to your value and what you could contribute to a job or a graduate school. It’s a good idea to ask for a letter of recommendation before you leave because faculty can be difficult to get ahold of once you graduate. Even if you don’t yet know where you’ll be applying, it’s always helpful to have a general letter of recommendation on hand.

4. Reach out to people who have been in your shoes 

The transition from college to the real world is scary and intimidating for just about everyone, especially as we are navigating these unprecedented times. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Start reaching out to people who have been in your shoes and ask them for their advice. If you have some friends who are a couple years older than you who have landed great jobs, ask them how they did it and to share their advice with you. Ask them if they made any mistakes and what they would have done differently. Reach out to your family members as well. Remember that you have a lot of people in your circle who want to help you and share their wisdom with you. 

5. Make a clear list of your goals

A lot of people leave college with no clear next steps. Many choose to move back home with their parents while they figure things out. Others want to go out on their own right away and dread the thought of moving back home. Identify what your goals and expectations are for yourself. Do you want to move back home and save money to buy a house? Do you want to move temporarily until you get a job? It is important to have clear goals so that you don’t end up in a rut. It is not uncommon for people to think they’re only moving back home for the summer and end up still living with their parents 5 years later. Don’t let this be you. Set timelines for yourself and have the discipline to stick to them. It’s okay to take a little time off to travel or spend time with your family, but you should know what your general plan is and when you would like to be financially independent. 

6. Take time to reflect

Think back to the person you were when you first started college and how much you’ve changed since then. Be proud of yourself and how far you’ve come. Think about the friendships you’ve made and which ones are important to you. Many of our college friendships will fade as we go our separate ways, but other ones can last a lifetime if you put in the work. Identify who matters the most to you and prioritize staying close to them, even if you end up living thousands of miles away. Take the time to reflect on who has had the most influence on you during this transition time. One great way to do this is with a gratitude journal. Make sure to reach out to your mentors and tell them thank you. Tell them about how they positively changed your life. They will appreciate you taking the time to tell them this and may even be able to help you find a job in the future.

Conclusion

The transition from college to the real world is intimidating for everyone. It’s always important to remember that you’re not alone and it’s okay to embrace this period of uncertainty and change. It’s okay if you don’t know exactly where you’re headed yet. Just make sure you take the time to acknowledge this huge achievement you just accomplished. Have gratitude for the opportunities you’ve been given, and keep moving forward one day at a time.

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