Overcoming Post-Grad Life: Lessons from a Recent Grad

Today marks a little over two months since graduation and it has truly been a rollercoaster ride — with the sudden transition away from the independent university lifestyle, the complex job search process, attainment of unstructured free time, and incomprehensible isolation from family, friends, and acquaintances. As time flies by, I hope to share 5 insights on what I’ve learned these past two months in order to inspire others in similar situations. We’re all in this together, and it’s possible to persevere through this intricate chapter of our lives.

1. Take advantage of this transition period for introspection and self-discovery. 

In a time rife with self-doubt and the loss of identity, we may want to immediately jump into the subsequent phase, in efforts to establish a distinct sense of self and security. It’s natural to desire structure, but this transition period should be regarded as a special time to foster healthy self-care practices and a deeper appreciation of solitude. For some, it may mean delving deeper into cherished hobbies and side projects or working up the courage to step into the gym every morning to lift weights, while for others, it could constitute taking a month off from social media to backpack and explore new sights.

Regardless of the method, we have a whole life ahead of us to explore different interests and pursue our ambitions. While we have a moment, especially after years of following the education system, it could benefit us to step back and evaluate our strengths, weaknesses, character traits, and passions. Self-discovery is a continuous process that follows us for life, so it’s important to start practicing it now.

2. Understand that patience is key. Each individual possesses a unique life purpose and mission only they can accomplish. 

Just as how everyone has varying strengths and weaknesses, as time progresses, each individual will walk down different roads. No one path is necessarily the “right” or “ideal” one. Just because you aren’t a CEO today does not mean you won’t be one 10 years down the line, and just because you aren’t a CEO or don’t strive to ever be one does not make you any less of a human being. Passion and purpose take time to cultivate, and I guarantee you will reach that point through patience and grit. Happiness and success mean something different for each person, but what’s important is adopting a growth mindset and continuously learning and growing as human beings.

As a rule of thumb, I make it a point to ask myself at the end of each day: “What is one thing I learned today?” And if I can answer that, I know I’m one step closer to fulfilling my aspirations. 

3. Embrace rejection and learn from it.

Rejection is a blessing in disguise. By learning to wholeheartedly face and accept rejections, we appreciate the value of humility and ownership. If we are never rejected or receive constructive feedback, how can we become more efficient at what we do? With each job rejection, I strongly recommend performing a self-assessment after each interview stage and asking for feedback from the hiring manager: “What specific skill sets could I develop to make myself a stronger candidate if I were to apply again for the same role?” “What did I learn about my passions, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as the company from this entire interview process?” “What would I do differently if I were to repeat the process?”

Learning to not take rejection personally and understanding that “no” could mean “not right now” serves as a crucial mindset when it comes to opportunities in general. When you work hard to cultivate resilience to rejection, take feedback seriously, and change, the first “yes” will come in time!

4. Practice daily gratitude and empathy.

I am extremely thankful for the art of daily gratitude (and the occasional meditation session, although I am striving to make that a daily habit). That’s because, in reality, no one is 100% on top of it all the time — even the most successful people have their “off days". Taking precautions before you have “off days" by practicing gratitude and understanding empathy’s paramount role in self-love and compassion will go a long way. At the start of each day, ask yourself: "What 3 things am I grateful for today?"

As we spend more time in solitude after graduation, we begin to master self-discovery, genuinely accept ourselves for our humanity, and appreciate those who have always and will always have our backs. I can say that in these two months, I've come to love my own company, strengthen my core values, cultivate my passions, and appreciate my relationships even more than before.

5. Take ownership of your priorities and just do it.

Post-grad is the perfect time to think about priorities and where you see yourself in the next few years. While embracing uncertainty arises at this stage, it’s important to consider that the development of goals, metrics, and an action plan comes first. To begin with, establishing structure helps restore balance. I recommend creating a daily schedule and sticking to it, whether that means sleeping by 12 AM, waking up at 8 AM, and starting each day with a 30-minute jog before proceeding to tackle job applications or passion projects. All in all, even if you don't immediately get into a daily grind, that's okay! Progress takes time, and taking a step back one day does not mean you can take two steps forward the next.

Sustainable, long-term habits take a minimum of 21 days to form and stick to. If you train yourself to tackle each goal a day at a time and conduct weekly assessments, you will see results and progress towards your new objectives. 

No matter what life stage you’re at right now, I hope these insights helped in some shape or form. Everyone has the potential to succeed and make a positive impact on society, and a transition period is necessary at times to help us refresh, reflect, and re-prioritize. If anyone has any thoughts, questions, or feedback, feel free to reach out — I’d be happy to discuss and continue the conversation. I wish the best of luck to all new graduates out there as we journey forward together! 

All the best,

Miuccia Halim

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Miuccia Halim graduated from the University of California, Davis in spring with a Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics and minor in Communication. As a recent graduate, she seeks to inspire others in similar positions to share their experiences and insights.

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