If you are like most recent college graduates, you are not only wondering what you are going to do with your life but also dealing with the lifestyle change from complete freedom to back under the watchful eyes of your parents. And whether you jumped into a job or not, you feel the pressure of looming responsibilities.
But if you are really like most new college grads, there are a few things that are for sure:
1) The only friends you have that live within a 30-mile radius are the same friends you’ve had since you were 5.
2) You have more of your things stored at your parents’ house than your parents have theirs.
3) You can still find your middle school yearbook.
4) “Doing your part” is equivalent with paying off your debt (mostly attributed to costume-party outfits and alcohol purchases).
5) You have spent more time each day checking Facebook and Craigslist than not.
6) You think it finally might be time to say goodbye to those Freshman 15 that so loyally held on so long.
7) You or at least 2 people you know are getting married in the next year.
8) You have no intention of getting a career job and would much prefer working at the ice cream shop down the street for the 5th summer in a row.
9) You still have your high school uniforms and plaques neatly packed away…or still on display.
10) You are completely saddened by the fact that you are now in the “real world” and college is over—in other words, you have post-parting depression.
Never fear, young college grad! There are plenty of things you can do to help keep you feeling responsibility free, almost like freshman year all over again. Try doing a few activities every once in a while (especially the summer after graduation) like getting together with college friends in the city for a day, or going to the beach often, or taking a trip to the nearest theme park.
Even just getting together with your high school buddies for a drink and a round of pool, catching up can take those blues away. Keeping busy is the best way to drown out your woes and flip your mood.
And don’t worry, when fall comes, and you realize it is the first time in 17 or so years that you are not actually going back to school, you’ll remember the homework, the stress, the silly drama, oh, and that paycheck you have coming on Friday and those college kids won’t even be the wiser.