Last month I wrote an article about 10 things you should do before you graduate. Now that most schools are done with the whole graduation thing, it’s time for my list of 10 things you should do after you graduate.
1. Take a break
Unless you become a teacher, professor, or plan on going to grad school, the summer after you graduate college could be the last summer vacation you ever have, so take advantage of it by taking a break. Enjoy this free time by doing something that you find relaxing.
2. Travel
I’ve mentioned before that college is a great time to travel, so it should be no surprise that right after graduation is a great time to travel too. Save some of your graduation money and plan a trip to a place you’ve been wanting to go.
3. Read books (for fun)
After spending the past few years reading what your professors told you to read, you finally have the time and freedom to read whatever you want. Indulge yourself now that you’re free. Whether it’s sci-fi, slutty romance novels, or personal finance books, the point is that you’re reading it because you want to read it.
4. Stay up late/sleep in
Most college grads end up in 9 to 5 jobs and soon become boring just like the rest of the real world. Make the most of your time before entering the daily grind by showing a complete disregard for time. Stay up late and sleep until lunchtime while you still can.
5. Continue learning
Learning shouldn’t stop just because you’re not in school anymore. I’m a huge advocate of lifelong learning, because I think that we always have something to learn. Find something that really interests you and figure out ways to learn more about it.
6. Finish off your “Things To Do Before I Graduate” list
Chances are you struggled to get everything done in college with the most limited resource in the world — time. Well, it’s not too late. After graduation is the perfect time to do the things you always wanted to do during college, but never found the time to do them.
7. Make new goals
If you graduated from college, one of your goals was probably to graduate from college. The funny thing about accomplishing your goals is that you’re suddenly hit with the question, “Now what?” Now that you’ve finished another chapter in the story of your life, it’s time to move on and write the next chapter. Spend some time coming up with ideas for what you would like to accomplish in the next stage of your life.
8. Keep in touch
If you didn’t learn it in college, you will soon learn it in the real world — networking is one of the most important skills to have. Sure, you could be the best writer in the world, but if nobody knows about you, you will never get discovered. Keep in touch with the people you meet in college, because you never know when you might be able to help each other out in the future. It’s simpler than ever to stay connected now with sites like LinkedIn created exactly for this purpose.
9. Reconnect with old friends
A lot of college graduates go back home after graduation. This a great time to reconnect with old friends and see what everybody is up to. This may not be for everyone though, because I have met quite a few people who don’t keep in touch with old friends.
10. Spend some time with your parents
For many college graduates, this is the last period of your life that you’ll call your parents’ house “home”. Pretty soon, you’ll be moving into your own place and starting your own home. Spend some time with your parents before moving on, and they will really appreciate it.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
When you graduate college you are left with a bunch of knowledge, memories and debt! After college you have to try to find a job in order to live and pay off your loans, you end up being just as broke as when you were in college. But this summer you can be broke and have fun like you were still in college thanks to Jack in the Box. You love those tacos from Jack in the Box, don’t deny it.—the crispy goodness with the melted cheese, hot sauce and crisp lettuce on the inside. With gas becoming more and more expensive, Jack wants to help you fill your stomach. Bring any gas receipt to Jack in the Box next Thursday, June 26th, and get TWO FREE TACOS. No gimmicks, no hidden fees, no purchase necessary—just two free tacos! Let all your friends know if they like taaaaacos
Wow that is sad, is that the owner of jack in the box peddling his own site on ur blog?
Anywho, don’t most peeps get jobs right out of college? Shouldn’t you be job hunting right out of college if you haven’t already sealed one? I have yet to graduate, but I think I remember my siblings getting jobs very soon after they graduated. No summer vacation for them!
When you graduate, you’re left with debt and you need to pay it back. Ouch. You know what, if you guys have gas receipts lying around the house, you can use them tomorrow. Just take them down to your local Jack In The Box and get yourselves TWO FREE TACOS. They’re calling it TWO FREE TACOS DAY!! Giving something back to everypne because of the ridiculously high gas prices. Here’s the link, check it out:
http://jackinthebox.com/twofreetacosday/index.php?Campaign=MW-TFT-MB
Don’t worry, I have no Jack In The Box offers. I just graduated from college, and sadly, now I see from your list that I didn’t really get to do alot of those “lasts.” I hope you get to mark those off your list.
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