‘Tis the season of tassels, caps and gowns

As graduation approaches, remember to give yourself the grace to embrace the unknown 

BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD — opinion@theaggie.org

With the final weeks of May comes the tail-end of spring quarter and the frenzy of graduation season. Professors start to grow a bit too sentimental, soon-to-be alumni excitedly debate grad photos or commencement times and the all-too-scary question starts popping up at every turn: So, where to next?

Oftentimes, answering this question brings up a flurry of conflicting emotions — whether it's dread over the uncertainty of your post-grad plans or excitement about what the future may hold. Having completed your education for the time being, it's easy to feel set adrift in a world that’s a little too big and a little too confusing to navigate all on your own just yet. In the liminal space between college and the rest of your life — before you fully settle on where you want to go and what you want to do next — here are some things to keep in mind. 

The first plan of action is to take a moment (or maybe two!) for celebration. For the last several years, you’ve worked relentlessly toward a degree while juggling part-time jobs and extracurriculars: That’s no easy feat. As the horizon appears blissfully devoid of Canvas assignments to turn in and classes to attend, celebrate everyone (including yourself) who helped you get this far. 

Next, take some time to reconnect with yourself. Often, the chaos of university life sneakily takes over the hours you would normally reserve for hobbies, developing new skills and taking care of your health and wellbeing. Now that you are out of that high-pressure environment, shake off the dust from your sketchbook, musical instrument, stack of books or videogame console — remember what non-academic activities you love to do and pursue them. Get back on those daily walks and meal prepping, reinstate the long-dismissed 8-hour sleeping schedule and mosey your way back to the gym.

On that note, the months and years after graduation are nothing short of the perfect time to rebuild the relationships that you may have put on the backburner while at school. Go visit that high school friend on the East Coast, set up lunch with your favorite professor or take your parents out for dinner — as you prepare to set foot into the unknown, having a strong support network will be your greatest comfort and asset. 

Now, the job hunt. As we enter a competitive and unforgiving market — with unemployment rates for recent graduates reaching a high of 5.6% — we must remember to give ourselves grace. Know that you are not alone in the struggle to land a job in your field or move out on your own. As a recent graduate, you’ve got plenty of time to sharpen your resume and CV, create your professional network and determine the kind of work you would want to do full-time. And that being said, don’t discredit the power of a degree from one of the top public research universities in the nation — being an Aggie alum is already a major tool to have under your belt as you move forward in your career development pathway. 

 Learn to pick and choose what you accept: Don’t rush into an opportunity that exploits your skills and energy just because you feel you have to, and don’t despair if you have to take a stepping-stone job for a few years while you figure things out. Adulting is hard — as with anything, it takes time to learn and grow accustomed to a new way of life. 

Our 20s are some of our most formative years — nothing is set in stone and everything is up for grabs. Now is the time to make mistakes, learn from them and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Above all, it’s a chance to look into the future and envision who you want to be in the next 10 years — a mentor or a student, a partner or a parent, settled down into a comfortable career or still exploring. 

The possibilities are quite literally endless. The most important thing to keep dear to your heart is the journey that has brought you to this moment — the people you met and the sidequests you traversed — and to follow what makes you feel most happy and fulfilled. The years to come will be challenging, yes, but they will also be filled with incredible memories,  experiences and opportunities: all you have to do is seize them.

Written By: The Editorial Board — opinion@theaggie.org