A certain event is coming up for those college students who are gearing up for graduation…and it’s called the real world. Some people have opportunities and jobs lined up for them right after graduation, which is awesome, but not always realistic for everyone! This is quite alright, as there are certain steps you can take to make sure you’re on the right path after graduation, and they will be named later in this article.
No matter how much we plan or think we know how our lives are going to pan out, we can’t predict the future. I have learned to only think on my future (and act when I can), and plan for my setbacks. When I say think on my future, I don’t mean sit around and daydream about unrealistic career goals, it just simply means that I know what I hope to be doing years from now and I think of all the ways that will get me there, and act on those thoughts when the right time comes. As everyone already knows, life comes with unexpected setbacks that usually happen at the worst time, but everything happens for a reason. For example, if there’s an internship that you have wanted for so long and have worked so hard to apply for, but you don’t get it, you should have other plans to fall back on. It may be hard to accept the fact that you didn’t get your dream internship, but at least you have two or three more that you applied for and they all want you. It won’t always work out that way exactly, but if you don’t try you’ll never know! So here are three tips on how to think on your future (and act when you can) and plan for your setbacks.
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Understand what it takes to be successful in your major/career.
We all chose our college majors for one reason or another, but I’m certain that the common reason is to be successful in your future career. Learn about what your school has to offer for your specific major, professional organizations related to your major and professors who may have worked in the field before becoming a professor. Once you have figured all those things out, think on how you are going to work them into everyday life.
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Never apply for any one internship, scholarship, job, etc.
Ever heard the saying, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket?” If not, then you have now, and you should live by it. You may think that you are the absolute best choice for something you applied for, and that there is no way you could be denied, but there could always be someone who is a little more qualified than you. So like I said before, plan for your setbacks. Apply for as many places as you can at once and have a plan A, B, C, D and however many others you need, until one of them works out.
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Live life happily.
This should go without saying, but there are many people in the world who are too focused on planning every detail of their future, they forget to enjoy their life in the present! Enjoy your family and friends while you can, and if life isn’t working out like you may have wanted it to, the ones who really care about you will still be there when you’re at your lowest. Life happens, so at least be happy when it does!
College flies by, especially come senior year when reality is lurking around the corner. Until that time comes, work hard in school, but don’t forget to experience the once in a lifetime experience college gives you. Try to plan your goals for after graduation, but with an accepting and open minded perspective!