I grew up in a small town that consisted of three bars, a gas station, and no stoplights. After graduating with a class of only twenty-seven students, I made my move to an Ohio State University dorm.

• My floor had twice as many people as my graduating class.
• I moved from a town with hundreds of people to a city with hundreds of thousands.
• I was constantly asked, “Wasn’t that a huge change for you?”
• Honestly, it wasn’t. At least it didn’t feel like it.

Maybe it’s because I had been anticipating college since elementary school, stashing fractions of birthday earnings into a savings account and pondering what I was going to be when I grew up (still working on that). Maybe it’s because I spent my high school years working thirty hours a week at a grocery store and generally staying away from the house, because I was seventeen and my parents just didn’t understand my adolescent, working class angst (life was so hard for a sixteen year old). I was already doing my own thing, so when college came, it didn’t seem that different.

Now, as I finish my fifth year, people are starting to say, “Are you excited? This is going to be a big change for you!”
But it doesn’t feel like a big change. For the past two years my classes have been in the background of my life, with my work at various jobs and internships taking priority.

It doesn’t feel like I’m graduating. It feels like I’m moving onto the next job. I think that’s how the college experience should feel. Graduating shouldn’t be some jarring transition that tosses you into reality. The point of your four (or five, or six) years of education is to prepare you for the real world, right?

So you’re a young student and you want to make this transition go as smoothly as possible. What do you do? Here’s what worked for me.

Get a job. Or volunteer. Or something.

You’re a student. You’re busy. There’s class, student organizations and all these new singles to mingle with. Maybe you don’t even need the money. Maybe you’re uninterested in volunteering for a cause. The point is, even if it’s menial work, it gets you out and doing something. More importantly, it gets you meeting people. Even if the only time you have is a few hours a week, it’s better than nothing. And it doesn’t hurt that it gives you a little something to put on your resume, even the most trivial of jobs show you have a work ethic and are capable of getting along with others in the workplace.

Get a job off campus.

Campus jobs are appealing. They’re easy to get to, the hours are flexible, and the work tends to not be very exhausting. But they also don’t get you off campus. You’re still surrounded by your peers.

A job off campus will force you to explore your city and meet and interact with people that aren’t college students. So work as an assistant in the law office by the suburbs, be a bank teller, wait tables at the trendy bar downtown. You’ll meet the interesting “real adults” that will help you grow as a person.
Besides, these are the types of jobs that’ll be taking up your nights as you struggle to pay your student loans after you’ve graduated, so you might as well learn how to do them now.

Get out of the dorms when you can.

Different universities have different requirements when it comes to staying in the dorms. It’s a great way to meet the people that will begin to shape your entire college experience, but after a year or two it’s time to move on.

This shouldn’t even need further explanation. The hallway smells funny, you always get stuck with the shower that has no water pressure, and you’ve slept in the lounge three times this week because your roommate and his or her significant other are “studying.” There’s nothing to miss. Get out and live on your own.

Take advantage of what your university offers.

I didn’t do a great job of this one at first. I go to a university that offers countless discounts on restaurants, museums, shows and other events all over the city. Our student IDs even give us free access to the bus to get us around town.

There will be keg parties and campus bars every weekend, so take some time before you graduate to actually discover what your city is like outside of campus. After taking the time to explore your city, taking the time to explore the world won’t seem so intimidating.

And don’t forget about the academic advising and career services your university offers. It’s easy to be cocky and think you don’t need them. Be willing to admit that you probably do. Let your school help prepare you so that your first post-graduate interview ends with a firm handshake and a job offer instead of a harsh slap in the face from reality.

-
In my time as an undergraduate I hope I’ve prepared myself in a way that will lead to the starter job that will suit me best.

But at the very least, I’ve learned to survive.

Because nobody wants to live in their parents’ basement after graduation.

About the Author:

Justin is currently a student, writer, library assistant, and before-school teacher in Columbus with a history of work in promotions and media relations. He sort of gets around like that. You can follow Justin on Twitter @JustinRHoffman.