Use these tips to prepare yourself for post-graduate life.
The class of 2018 caps' are going to be fire.
"We need to lift up our women."
Isn't that a scary thing? The "Real World". And no, I'm not talking about the television show, although they did hold a casting in Tuscaloosa that I almost went to.
If you want to go to graduate school, then it’s time to start thinking about the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Unlike the ACT/SAT, which a lot of people didn’t bother studying for back in the day, the GRE tests you on what Educational Testing Services think graduate students should know before grad school. This means you will actually have to study.
I have three finals, two papers, and one draft of my senior thesis keeping me from my winter break. Not a walk in the park, but also not an all time high as far finals week frenzies go. But yet, here I sit, far too enamored in this week’s episode of What Not to Wear to even think about getting any of this work done.
Oh college, you slay me. Between my eye-popping total for text books (looks like another semester of ramen and Capri Sun) and overdoses of 5 Hour Energy (yes, already), sometimes the only thing that keeps me sane is walking home from campus or work in the pouring rain. Pause. Not.
I’m out of college, on the opposite side of the country, living with my dad who thinks he is starring in his own comedy sitcom, and completely alone. Those closest to me are elsewhere. My boyfriend is on the opposite coast. My best friend is in the middle of Atlanta. My dearest, bestie ever is living in South Africa! My college friends are strewn across the USA.
The summer after I graduated from high school I was excited to finally be free from compulsory family vacays to celebrate the 4th of July. So to celebrate both America’s and my own newfound independence, I went big, I went all out – I went to a house party.
Most college students struggle to complete one degree in four years, often taking an extra football season to finish or going on the five-year plan. Well, imagine trying to get two degrees in four years. And being in a sorority. And working. And having a boyfriend. And trying to maintain social skills. And watching Glee every Tuesday. Seems crazy right? Welcome to my life.
Let’s face it: we all make stupid decisions. Like choosing a fifth over a review session, or bringing that guy home…who stole our iPod in the morning. That’s part of college life... and a big part of what makes it so memorable. But there are some choices that have longer lasting repercussions; things we do now that will haunt us later.
A year ago I was packing up my college apartment, saving my most memorable theme party costumes (sexy dining hall worker didn't go over as well as I thought it would), and crying in the most unattractive wipe-your-snot-on-your-sleeve fashion. As far as I knew it my life was completely over. I was jobless, destitute, and way too close to sober.
Today is May 5th. Many of you are wearing sombreros and chugging tequila graduate in a few weeks, or even days. (Did I just freak you out!?) Thankfully I’m on a college quarter system, so I have one more month of bliss before entering the real world. But still, there never seems to be enough time these days for everything I want to do.
I’ve always believed that change is a good thing. It can take you out of your comfort zone and introduce you to new people, new places, and new experiences that you would never have known otherwise. I’m all for change, really I am, just not when that change removes me from my carefree lifestyle of afternoon classes, friends, parties, and little to no responsibilities.