10 Ways to Prepare For Life After Graduation

“Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so.”

Just graduated? Welcome to your quarter life crisis. We know. It sucks. But it doesn’t have to all the time. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you… Here’s 10 things you can do to prepare yourself for your career…

1. Get a pen & paper

Understand what success means to you and jot it down. If the idea pops when you’re out of paper, pick up the closest napkin, write it onto your hand or a paper bag. Just don’t let your ideas slip. Especially the ones that will act as dots that will eventually introduce you to the future you!

2. Take it one step at a time

Stressing about the small/big picture doesn’t help you grow. As in, blowing the little steps you need to take out of proportion will only deform your goal at hand. As long as you’re making effort and are willing to keep moving in the direction of your goal, trust yourself that opportunities will come and that you will make the most of them.

3. Communicate

Talk to people. Make friends with people not only just your own age, but of ages younger & older than you. Communicating with people you are close to is said to help reduce stress. So make the most of the people around you. Mentor the younger ones, share your experiences with the ones going through a similar path as yours and heed for advice from the ones that have already been through it all.

4. Reflect

Look back at what you pinned down before. Your sketches, your words, your thoughts, & your plan. Revisit yourself when you find yourself stuck. The key is movement, if going backwards for a few minutes to help you move forward by hours, then go. Just don’t allow yourself to tolerate being stuck.

5. Experience

According to Wharton Business School professor Richard Shell, it’s vital that we learn from trial-and-error.

 “Finding out what success means to you often involves trial and error,” says Shell, “not just theoretical contemplation. It involves taking risks and experimentation. Success is not a static, one-done process; it’s dynamic.”

6. Format

Design a plan. Sure it may change, but by having a plan in the back of your mind, however big/small it is, will help you stay focused.

7. Grow

A lot times we find ourself making the common mistake of being stubborn. Sometimes breaking our own idea of things gives us room to grow. It’s said you can’t expect different results if you don’t change your way, so why not? Why not accept and embrace patience as you experience through your transformational phase?

8. Mentor

Seek for advice. Knowledge is a good way to learn, yes. However wisdom itself could not be a better teacher. So be wise and make most of the knowledge your mentor has to offer. Their way of learning may not have been the same as you, but what they have to say could surely introduce some new perspective!

9. Connect

Make connections. Everyone around you is living a life and is looking for something. Connect with the ones that stand on a common ground and connect with the ones who are willing to support you. Connections, in a way are like mini relationships. They make a difference, so pay attention to them & make the most of them.

10. Do

And above all take action. The purpose of all the steps above is to motivate & fuel your enthusiasm to get what you want. But to get what you want, you have to earn it by taking action. So wish, but more importantly be willing to do whatever you can gan to attain it.

“It’s not about the ideas. It’s about making the ideas happen.”