There’s more to life after college than just getting a 9-to-5 job.
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Graduation is one of, if not the most anticipated events any student waits for in college. After four or so years of hard work, papers, restless nights, and cups of coffee, college has come to a close as you head on stage in your cap and toga and get that degree. But while graduation is a whole moment, what happens after you take off the toga is a whole other beast.
Now that your formal schooling years are officially over, what do you do now? Usually, life post-university means getting a job. But entering the workforce and becoming part of a statistic isn’t all that’s waiting for you out there. Sure, you can go on the job hunt and get needed government documents like SSS, TIN, and an NBI Clearance, but your path in the “real world” has many branches you can take. Here are a few you may want to consider.
REST
As simple as that. Turn on the AC, close the blinds, and get some shut-eye. You’ve spent who knows how many nights doing school work, cramming papers, or studying for exams, so you shouldn’t deny yourself the much-deserved R&R. After years of school, there’s nothing wrong with taking a long vacation and recharging your energy. Get on that movie marathon, play video games, hang out with friends, or just do nothing at home. The last thing you need is to jump into work and not give your body, mind, and spirit enough time to recover from your college years.
GET THAT EXPERIENCE
College is supposed to train and prepare you for the real world. But the reality is, most of us feel that even with our degree, we don’t feel ready to enter the workforce. That’s a completely normal feeling and a valid reason for feeling anxious about entering a 9-to-5. Instead of going straight into a full-time job, you can use your post-college days to apply for internships or apprenticeships to build experience and hone your skills further.
Pursuing side hustles and freelance work is another good way to practice your craft while managing your hours, not to mention a path for you to make some money on the side. Consider it as dipping your toes in the pool before diving off the board.
GO BACK TO SCHOOL
Going back to school after graduating college? Yes, and it’s a natural next step, especially for those going to medical and law school. Your post-college days could be the time to think about pursuing a master’s or post-graduate degree, whether locally or abroad. You may also want to consider going to a vocational school, like culinary or film school, or taking extra courses to hone certain skills you want to apply in your ideal job. And, if the situation calls for it, you might also want to enroll back in college to get a second degree if you feel like your life’s path is rearing you towards a different career than what your initial degree intended.
TRAVEL
Your days of sitting in classrooms for hours a day is finally over. So, why not celebrate by getting those travel miles? As a fresh grad, it’s time for you to explore and discover the world to its fullest, with travel being one of the best ways to do that. Whether alone, with family, friends, or that special someone, traveling can serve both as a much-needed vacation and an opportunity to reflect on what the rest of your life has to offer.
START THAT PASSION PROJECT
It seems as if we never have the time to do what we want because of how much energy school takes. But now that that’s over, your schedule is free to do what you want, such as bringing that passion project to life. If starting your own business has always been on your bucket list, your post-college days are the time to do it. Not only will you be doing something you enjoy (and make money from it), but it will also be a nice addition to your resume. Who knows, you may even turn that passion project into your full-time job.
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