What Nobody Told Me About My First Year Post-Grad

I cannot believe it has already been one year since I received my college diploma from the University of Wisconsin- Madison. Graduation day was equally the best and worst day ever. Best because, how lucky was I to have a college degree to represent all my hard work. Worst because the best 4 years of my life were coming to an end– way before I wanted them to.

“Even the best times have to end at some point,” my mom told me.

If you’re reading this, and you’ve gotten this far, I’m sure you can resonate with these feelings and emotions. It’s not fun. This time last year I was full of anxiety. Anxious of where my future would take me and unsure of what was next- not only with my career, but the relationships I’ve built for 4 years. Although you may want to hold onto college life for dear life, the real world will happen– whether you’re ready or not. Nobody told me just how hard this transition would be and I feel if somebody did, I would have been more prepared. 

I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that the next year will be easy, but I will tell you that it will be one of tremendous growth, self discovery and change.

A year later, I am still deeply missing college life and the people who came with it. But I can say that I’ve accepted that is now part of my past and am excited for my future.

There’s something called the “Post- College Blues” that my coworkers quickly diagnosed me with my first month on the job. All of my friends have gone through these blues as well, and there’s really no way to avoid it. Anytime you drastically change lifestyles, you’re going to have emotions that come with it.

The first wave of the “Post- College Blues” hit once summer was over and when the once- Juniors were now the Seniors on campus. On social media you see your younger friends and classmates living it up just like you once did. It didn’t help that I went from the most relaxed, free schedule to working 9-to-5 in a cubicle.

Thursday nights at your favorite local bar turn into watching some TV and going to bed. Wild game days turn into you watching the game over a couple beers at someone’s apartment. All-nighters turn into getting up SO early. And hugging your friends turn into a FaceTime call.

The first wave was probably the hardest because if you’re also most likely adjusting to a new city, a new job and new friends. There were lots of tears during this time.

But as time goes on you get better, you get adjusted and you just start to accept it. You maybe meet some great friends that help you through it– that’s what happened to me, luckily. My friends helped me get through these blues more than anything because were all feeling the same things. When the holidays rolled around, I began to forget about these blues.

Once spring semester begins, the second wave really hits. Spring of senior year was the best semester of them all– the most fun I’ve had in my life. Those memories all come back and remind us of how life used to be. There’s nothing that can compare to those moments, and it doesn’t help that you miss your friends so much.

Then the spring semester is over in the blink of an eye, and you are where I am now– not believing that it has already been a year!

Looking back at my first year of adulthood, I cannot believe how much I’ve grown as a professional and a person in general. I’m sure you will feel this way too.

Here’s my advice to you, Class of 2020, on how to get through these post-college blues:

1. Be prepared. Like I said earlier, prepare to have some lonely nights. You will have days were you miss your old life so much, and that’s okay. Be prepared to have these feelings, and accept them. This is one way to cope with the change you’re enduring.
2. Put yourself out there. You’re likely going to feel similar to how you did those first weeks of Freshman year– overwhelmed and alone. You’re likely going to be in a new city, around new people, with a new routine. Put yourself out there– don’t sit at home wallowing in self-pity (trust me, I’ve been there).
3. Say yes! Say yes to lunch dates, happy hours, work out classes, etc! Socialize, even if you just want to crawl into bed. This is how I met the best friends in my new city. Saying yes to one random movie night in the park (that I almost didn’t go to), introduced me to the best people! Surrounding yourself with fun and likeminded individuals help more than you’d think.
4. Always plan something to look forward to. It could be something large like a vacation, or it could be something as simple as a happy hour. My friends and I made it a habit to always plan something each week so we had something to look forward to. It helps a lot!
5. Stay connected with college friends. One of the biggest reasons I was so sad to leave my college town was my friends! Fear that I’d drift apart with the best friends I’ve ever had. Stay connected with them! Relationships require effort. Put that effort in, even if its just a text message.
6. Plan reunion trips! My friends and I have had the best time the past year visiting one another in our new cities. It’s something to look forward to and a reminder that you’ll always pick up right where you left off when you’re reunited!
7. Find new hobbies and things that make you happy. This is so darn important. I’ve found new hobbies— blogging being one of them— that fill my time with joy. After working long days, you need something that will pick you up and distract you from any negativity. Some of these things could be new activities, working out, reading, going out with friends— the sky is the limit here. Just find some new things that make you happy.
8. Find the joy in change! Step back from the negativity. Think about how exciting these next years of your life will be. New city, excelling in your career (what you’ve worked 4 years to achieve!), new friendships, actually having money to do things, etc. There are so many things to be happy about.

Looking back on the past year, I can’t help but to be so darn proud of how far I’ve come. I’m hoping you will also feel this way eventually. I felt importance in sharing this, because these are the things nobody told me one year ago. I hope this helps you like it would have helped me.

Congratulations, Class of 2020. Be so proud, be excited, be thankful. The best is yet to come.

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