What’s next? That is the million dollar question.
If you’re anything like me, you’re not quite sure what’s next and that terrifies you.
I didn’t believe senioritis was a thing, until I became a senior myself. These days, I don’t want to
do school work. I don’t want to meet with my project groups. I don’t want to study for tests. (I’m
writing this article right now, while procrastinating studying for my test I have tomorrow).
Senioritis is real, y’all. And yet, I don’t want to graduate. Entering the real world seems scary.
Now, I know plenty of people, who are ready to graduate. They’re excited for this new chapter of
their life, and they’re chasing their dreams. If you’re one of those people, I’m happy for you! But
that’s not always the case, and it certainly hasn’t been the case for me.
So here’s my dilemma: when it comes to jobs and college, I have put tons of pressure on myself
to make the right decisions. I want to find the perfect job for me. I get worried about what my
life would be like if I don’t find the perfect job. What if I don’t get paid enough? What if I don’t
like what I’m doing? What if my coworkers are awful? What if my boss is mean? What if the
opportunities don’t arise? What if I take the wrong job position? What if the job location isn’t
ideal? What if, what if, what if? Maybe “what if” that should be the million dollar question. I’d
be rich and then wouldn’t even have this worry. Ha.
So, you may be like me and are scared of the uncertain future…or you may have the perfect job
lined up and are jumping at the bits to get your post-college career started. Whichever boat
you’re in, I have 4 truths I have been trying to tell myself, to help get me through this last year of
college and beyond!
1.It doesn’t really matter.
At a retreat one time, a wise young adult once told me, that it really doesn’t matter what
you end up doing career-wise or which major you end up choosing. According to King
Solomon, the only thing that matters is that I fear God and keep His commandments. Our
purpose and duty is not to go to college, get a degree or to get a job. That’s not what
we’re here for. We have to keep a Kingdom perspective.
2.It doesn’t have to be permanent.
My roommate once told me that if I end up not liking my job, I can always quit and
search for another one. Now, I’m not advocating giving up the second it gets hard or
rough, but I am saying that if, after say, six months, you feel that the job you have or the
career you’re pursuing is not for you, there’s no shame in ending it and starting fresh!
The career I begin right out of college doesn’t have to be the career I’ll end with.
3.There’s no “right” timeline.
Sometimes I feel like I have to get a job right out of college and live on my own and
that’s that. However, my mother said she’s not kicking me out right away. There’s not a
specific timeline that you have to follow. I wouldn’t recommend being 30 years old and
still living at home with your parents or anything like that, but you know what I mean.
Take a year off if you want! Your career and future is up to you and can be done however
you feel like it, especially if you don’t have a family of your own yet. If you are engaged
or married, those decisions need to be made together.
4.You’re not alone.
This may be the most important truth in my opinion. For those single girls like me, there
may be an added layer of fear going into the future and feeling alone. But I’ve realized
that I’m never going to be alone. Luckily, I have great friends that are just a phone call
away, even if we end up moving to different cities. I have a family that is going to take
care of me and be there for me. My worries are their worries, in a sense. I also know that
wherever I end up, regardless of what I’ll be doing, I will have a church family ready to
accept me and be my support system when I need them. However, if all these people fail
you, you will always, ALWAYS have God, and He’s the best person to have on your side.
So, what’s next? That’s still the million dollar question. You might not be sure what’s next, but
stop asking what if, take comfort in these four truths and fret not!