Don’t Feel Like You Need to Have It All Figured Out
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When I set out to write Ramen Noodles, Rent, Resumes, I wanted to write about a topic I knew well. Having almost survived my 20s—and one nasty quarter-life crisis—I felt that there was a need to provide some guidance for students who had just graduated from college or graduate school.
But more importantly, I wanted it to be okay for students struggling to see that others were doing the same. College is commonly viewed as preparation for the real world, but I knew that it was normal for people to realize that attending four years of school didn’t equip them for the challenges they would face—and that was okay.
I’m a big believer in the power of anecdotes and real-life experiences to comfort and motivate us, so I chose to interview students about the various topics featured in the book. I hope their honesty, coupled with the revelations that it’s okay to feel how you feel, help you along your way. Knowing this, I’m confident that you can make it through whatever your 20s throw at you.
When I left Stockton on May Day, I didn’t know anything about a quarter-life crisis. Had I, I would have probably dreaded life after college even more. Once I got out of school, life wasn’t too great for me. But now that I’ve found my soul’s work, discovered who my real friends are, learned how to be financially savvy, figured out how to clean a dryer vent, and write a killer resume, I want people to know that life after college need not be dreaded.
While scary, it doesn’t have to be a total wash-out. Yes, it’s easier for me to say that because I’ve been through it all, but I also believe that with a little insight and a lot of perspective, you can thrive in The After-College. Note how I didn’t say that you could avoid the stumbles I made? I wouldn’t want you to not experience hardships and heartbreak—those are the things that help you grow. Those are the things that shape you into an even better you. An adult you.
Who will you be? Think about it, yes. But don’t feel like you’ve got to have it all figured out. Just for now, just for your After-College, experience life without too many things holding you down. Travel, spend time with friends, take that cool job you’ve always wanted . . . because you can.
Throughout most of my After-College, I thought it all was a quarter-life crisis. I was overwhelmed by the challenges most of the time. When you emerge from something, you’re always wiser, and I hope my wisdom will help you. Life in your 20s doesn’t have to be a crisis. The period of time known as The After-College can have just as much joy as hardship. You have to inject the joy because the challenges can get overwhelming. But once you do, you’ll realize how cool this time in your life is. (even if you’re unlike me and were looking forward to it on the day you graduated!)
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Editor's Note: Inappropriate comments that are offensive to the author or not in context to the author's post will be removed. For editorial feedback, please contact our Community Manager through his user profile. Click here.
October 30, 2009 11:00 am
Nobody has it all figured out. It's a serious journey that will take monumental time and effort to complete successfully - if indeed that is possible at all. gotomeeting promo code
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Grad School Zone
UVA (Darden) MBA Admissions Deadlines for 2010-2011
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The University of Virginia's Darden School of Business recently published its application deadlines for the coming admissions season. Here they are, followed by our comments in italics:
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