Graduation is a time of excitement, but can also be a time of worry.

All the hours of studying and hard work have finally paid off. As your college years come to an end, and you begin to anticipate your new life as a young adult, here are a few tips to make your transition as smooth as possible.

Focus on yourself

College is a time of self-discovery. You likely met many new friends, tried new things, and realized you might not want to study the major you initially thought was your dream career. Like the changes you’ve had in the past four years, you will only continue to grow and mature in your new career path. Don’t let stress overwhelm you and keep you from enjoying your last semester. Focus on yourself and continue to make memories that you will cherish for years to come.

Practice managing your finances

Maybe you have been fortunate enough to have help from your parents during college, or maybe you worked a part-time job for some extra cash. Either way, you’ve probably been a “broke” college student at some point during your college career. Use the next few months to improve your money management skills, like saving, budgeting, and investing. Implementing these habits into your life now will make managing your money easier when you begin getting paid at your “big girl” job. Additionally, I would suggest opening a credit card to build your credit for future investments such as an apartment or car.

Build a professional online presence

With social media being part of our everyday lives, it is important to maintain clean and reputable profiles. Employers will most likely check your profiles on Instagram and Facebook when you are applying for jobs. Additionally, LinkedIn is an extremely valuable tool for your job search. Keep your profile updated with your resume, skills, certifications, etc. Add your friends, family, classmates, and professors to expand your network and stay connected with your peers post-grad.

Practice your interview skills

Even if you are an extroverted person who does not mind talking to strangers, interviewing for a job can still make you nervous. Hold mock interviews to help prepare you for future interviews. Practice avoiding words such as “like” or “um.” You want to appear prepared and as cool as a cucumber. Additionally, look over commonly asked questions and rehearse your responses. There are several resources available online that provide interview prep to help you ace your interview.

Celebrate your accomplishments

You did it – you finished four years of college! That in itself is a huge accomplishment. Don’t let the fear of the future distract you from the fact that you have reached this huge milestone, so celebrate it.

Overall, this is an exciting time, but can still be quite daunting. Remember that it is okay not to know exactly what you want to do. Give yourself grace, and with time, everything will fall into place. Believe in yourself, follow your dreams, and enjoy this journey!

Good luck future grads, and…

Be Well, Auburn