Graduates, Please Be Advised

Almost a year ago, I graduated from college. Now my Facebook and Twitter feeds are a-brimmin' with sentimental posts from this year's seniors. Before you guys get too depressed, though, I have some unsolicited reassurance and life advice to offer you. (Classic me!)

About friends: I'm gonna say the sad thing that you all already know: Some of your friends will just kind of fall away from you after graduation. That's okay. It doesn't mean that your friendship meant nothing, and it doesn't mean you're going to slowly lose everyone. What you don't realize in college is that you'll continue to meet people your entire life. And of course there'll be friends you stay close with, but one thing you have to keep in mind is that the dynamic of friendship changes once you graduate. In college, best friendship for me meant I saw a person at least multiple times a day. We used the same bathroom and shared meals on a daily basis. We probably got drunk together at least once a week and we probably spent at least 10 hours a week watching Law and Order: Special Victims Unit together. While I miss that kind of friendship, I think once you graduate, that kind of friendship stops being realistic for most people. You don't live with all your friends any more. You probably have your own bathroom and you probably either eat most of your meals alone or with your significant other. But if your friendship is strong, you will still be friends with someone even if you only see them once a month for dinner or coffee. 

About responsibilities: If you were supporting yourself 100% through college, you are a total badass. If you've been graduated for five years and your parents still fork over cash for your rent, well, hey, good for you, smoke 'em if you got 'em, etc. I went from supporting approximately 30% supporting myself in college to approximately 80% supporting myself in the year that's followed graduation. Throwing out more than half my income in rent, gas, phone service and other random, un-fun expenses is somewhat painful, but much like exercising, no pain, no gain. Yes, paying for things yourself sucks. But being self-reliant (or at least self-relianter) is pretty neat, too. 

About work: Speaking of responsibilities...work is actually not that bad, guys. I'm lucky enough to have a job I love with people I love at a company I love and I get that not everyone will be able to say the same about their first post-grad job. If you have to work at a job that you only sort of tolerate, or even a job you outright hate, do it, but keep your eye on the prize. Keep working towards doing the thing you love. If that necessitates going to grad school, go to grad school. But whatever you do, please don't take the easy option just because it feels safe. Safety is awesome. I'm a huge fan, personally. But a lot of people our age go to grad school so they can continue to hide from the real world, or take jobs they don't give two shits about because they're afraid they won't find anything better, and I don't think those are roads to a fulfilling career. Something I've learned this year is that your work decisions matter, even now, so don't stumble blindly along the path because you're afraid to blaze a trail. 

About all that free time: Soon-to-be grads, rejoice! Your life will be yours again before you know it. During the weeks following my graduation, I woke up feeling this crazy sense of freedom that came with the realization that there was really only one thing I had to do each day: Go to work. Compared to the college days I spent going to work, going to class, going to the paper, going to sorority meetings and then coming home to do homework, my schedule suddenly felt empty. What did I do with all my new-found free time? I spent the summer after graduation in a haze of eating out and drinking (10/10, would recommend), but quickly realized that habit was unsustainable long-term. Now I run. I practice yoga. I sit around on my couch when I feel like it. I read for fun. I get a full night's sleep most nights. I cuddle with my cat and sometimes my fiancé, but mostly I just enjoy doing what I want in the moment. It's awesome.

About drinking: We're all 21 here. I know what some of you are going to miss about college is all the partying. Don't worry, you will still be able to get drunk and make terrible and embarrassing decisions. (You haven't lived until you've experienced business drunk.*) I have an entire summer full of stories that prove it, if you're still concerned and would like to hear some. Though you might have to get me drunk to get me talkin'. 

To the Class of 2016: Ya did it, kids. Go enjoy adulthood, you earned it! 

*Joking aside, please do not drive drunk. It wasn't cool in college and it's not cool when you're a grownup.