Category: GT

By GT Nguyen

A BU Senior’s Guide on How to Navigate Post-Grad Life

Somewhere between enrolling for classes and walking on campus, it hit me that college is ending. No more living within a block radius of my friends or trying to find the free version of a textbook online. After graduation, it’s just real life. 

Even though I knew it was coming, and you could even say I saw it coming, nothing could ever prepare me for this. I feel anxiety, fear, excitement, and they all come in waves. One moment, I’ll believe that I can do it, and next thing you know, I’m on the verge of tears thinking about it. It’s change, and change is scary, but here’s what I’m learning as I try to figure it out in real time.

1. You Don’t Need to Have it All Figured Out

If I got a dollar whenever someone asked me what I wanted to do after college, I would probably have enough money to not have to work. I’m kidding, but the truth is, you don’t have to have your 20’s all mapped out. From now to 25 to 28 and so on, you will grow and blossom in ways you never knew you could. Your career might not be linear, so don’t fixate on something so far into the future. Focus on these next few months or maybe the year. Your first job is not the end all be all, it’s a starting point.

2. You are on Your Own Timeline. It is NOT a Race!

Which brings me to my next point: live your life on your own terms. I don’t blame you. I am a victim of doomscrolling on LinkedIn and of comparing myself to people who seem to have it better than me. Your wealth and joy are not measurable by your salary or job title. You have to carve your own path, and it won’t look like anyone else’s. Everyone is going in a different direction, so acknowledge that and focus on yourself. There’s a quote that goes, “Don’t look back; you’re not going there,” which, in a way, is applicable to this topic. You are not living out anyone else’s lives, so don’t waste your time comparing yourself to them.

3. You Will Need to Hold Yourself Accountable

You’ve worked hard and made it so far; you should be proud of yourself and give yourself some grace. That being said, don’t take the easy way out. Just because you are not obligated to go to 8AM’s, and your grade doesn’t depend on it, that doesn’t mean you should be unproductive, sleep in, or lose yourself. It’ll be uncomfortable, but it will be worth it. Create small healthy habits and a productive routine. You don’t have to change your lifestyle overnight, but you do need some structure. 

4. It’s Okay to Grieve College and Be Ready To Leave

This is a bittersweet time. You can be excited to graduate and sad to close this chapter of your life. Both can be true. College was a huge part of your life, and I can’t imagine all the memories you’ve made in the past four years. That said, it won’t be the best part of your life, because you’ll make new memories and have great experiences in the years to come. Don’t think for a second that your life will be mundane after graduation. It will take a little more effort, but the possibilities are endless.

If you’re feeling lost or behind, you are not alone. Post-grad life is not about having it all figured out; it’s about learning how to navigate the uncertainty. You should be proud of yourself for accomplishing college, and I believe you will be the best version of yourself. Good luck!

Who are your friends and what do they mean to you? Some people have childhood best friends that they’ve grown up with, others make friends through their sports or clubs, and others have a “right time right place” meet cute.

It is a bittersweet moment when the friends you’ve made your whole life begin to go on their different paths as you enter college. Maybe it feels like starting from square 1 again. That’s how I felt when I decided to move across the country for college. I knew that I still had my friends back home, but in this new chapter of life, it was going to be different. It was scary coming to the east coast all alone not knowing a single soul, but I promise everything works itself out. 

It’s a canon event for those large freshman friend groups to form the first week of school. I was in one, too. I wouldn’t say these friendships are artificial, but I wouldn’t say these are the people you will be with your whole college career just because things worked out in the beginning. When you’re in such a new environment with so many people in the same position as you, it’s natural to be drawn to them and even hold on to them. There is nothing wrong with that, but as time goes by, these groups get smaller and that is simply the way it goes. 

I see it as the accelerated version of the “three month rule” in dating. You eventually get to a point where you decide if you genuinely like these people, and there is only so much time you are willing to give to them. You essentially grow out of the people you met in the beginning, and that is okay! College is so concentrated with young, bright, and  like-minded people. Everyone is trying to figure themselves out, and sometimes it comes at a cost of drifting from friends in order to make room for more.\

I’ve learned to not take many social interactions personally in college, and that has helped me a bunch. As someone that gets attached easily and takes many things to heart, I learned that you might walk past someone you met at an event that won’t remember you, or for a moment things were going great with someone but somewhere along the way your paths won’t cross anymore. I want to assure you that you are not alone and it has nothing to do with you. 

You will meet people that you thought could be your lifelong friends and others where the connection is not that deep. Just keep in mind that things can change and anything can happen. Your social circle will be more like an ever changing cloud as you grow as a person and find yourself in college. Don’t lose yourself chasing other people, but focus on who you want to be, and people will gravitate towards you. 

I am here to validate your feelings and remind you everything will be okay.

College is a beautiful place and time for us to learn and become the best version of ourselves. I must admit, however, it can be intimidating and overwhelming especially when everyone around you is moving at a different pace. 

I left the suburbs of southern California to experience the pace of the city and east coast culture. The transition and adjustment for my first semester was beyond difficult because I felt so lost and lonely. I was the only one to go far from my high school, and it felt like everyone else knew what they were doing and were able to make friends and enjoy BU just fine. This caused me to go into an emotional spiral because I kept asking myself: what am I doing wrong?

Well, the answer is nothing. I am right where I’m supposed to be. I’d like to share some quotes and sayings that helped keep me grounded in my college journey, and hopefully they will help you too. Wherever you are on your college journey whether it be your freshman year, last semester and job searching, or somewhere in between, I would like to offer some wise words and reassurance. 

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”: Whenever I see someone the same age with me partying a little harder or doing a little better, I begin to feel sad for myself and wonder why my life isn’t as great. However, I have to remember that everyone has a life of their own and there is a lot going on behind the scenes. Comparing my experiences with others will not make my life any better. As a COM major, there’s no way to exile social media from our lives, but rather learn how to live with it in a healthy way.

“Everything is temporary.”: This is very bittersweet. Time will pass and you will finish that class you dreaded so much or that fun event will come to an end. Nothing lasts forever except the constant changes, so appreciate the good times and endure the bad. Great things are ahead of you.

“Find out what you like, figure out why you like it, and just be bold after that.”: Our student body is such a diverse group and there are many influences around us that can be overwhelming. Trends go in and out and what’s socially acceptable can change overnight. It is important to not get lost in the sauce, and remember you are your own person and you are in control of your life. Stay true to yourself, always.

In the end, we are very small specks on a spinning rock. Nothing really matters except how you choose to go about your life. You will go through some valleys physically, mentally, emotionally, and that is completely okay. You will make it. You will be okay. Trust the process, and more importantly trust in yourself.