So… Now What?

Author: Lisl Knizner

Congratulations, you did everything right. You took those AP classes and got that killer GPA that got you into a great college. Once you got there you got involved, made friends, and managed to still keep your grades up, you even graduated on time in four years. In your mind you had dreams of finding a job right after graduation and moving into your first non-college apartment. Dreams are wonderful, but what happens when things don’t go exactly how you pictured them in your head?

If you’re like me, who by now I’m sure you’ve gathered is that aforementioned recent college graduate, you have a lot of options. One of them being curled up in a ball and praying a long lost relative suddenly leaves you a small fortune. (Hey, a girl can dream… can’t she?)

In reality though I’ve had to adapt. I’ve had to think of myself as someone in transition, and even though this is taking a lot longer than I initially anticipated, it is something I’m just going to have to get through, like it or not.

One of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with through this transition is being a part from the people I came to call a second family. My friends and sorority sisters at school, who I was surrounded with literally 24/7 for four years, are suddenly not close by. Yes we do live in the era of social media and smart phones so really they are only a text or a tweet away, however nothing quite compares to late nights with your best friends just enjoying each other’s company.

I’ve come to realize and really be grateful for the bonds and friendships I forged during my college years and I’ve made it my mission to maintain these friendships even though we are separated. Even if it is a quick conversation about the latest episode of Pretty Little Liars, keeping in contact and letting people know you’re thinking of them always does wonders. Don’t forget, the people you love are still there, even if its not physically.

Now this isn’t the whole story, not by a long shot. However it’s a start. I don’t have it half bad to tell you the truth. I don’t have to worry about rent while I look for a job since I’ve moved back home and my alma matter is only a two hour drive away. I’ve been able to take some road trips over for events like sorority recruitment, homecoming, and graduation this past semester and for this I count myself lucky, even on the days when other things get me down.

Family, friends, and experiences are what matter in the end and I for one am enjoying figuring out what’s coming next. If the past is any indication it will be unexpected and amazing and having had to wait for some of the best things in my life, I cannot wait to see what it will be.