The “Success Formula” for Post Grad Life
“Started from the Bottom” by Drake resonates with so many people because it’s a rags-to-riches narrative, which is awesome. However, what happens when you were at the top of your game then fell off?
There aren’t many songs or narratives that depict this story in the best light. Usually, these stories end in tragedy like Frankie Lymon or end in shame like Vanilla Ice.
Unfortunately, our culture can be extremely black and white. However, stories with a middle ground are out there. You just have to look for them. The most popular middle ground stories that aren’t being told or are being told from a polarized perspective (extremely negative or extremely positive) are those of recent college graduates.
Some college graduates go on to be multi-millionaires straight out of undergrad while others take jobs that aren’t in their field to pay off loans and make ends meet.
The narratives that aren’t being highlighted enough are the ones that talk about the journey of finding yourself, what that looks like and how it’s okay to go through the motions of trying to figure out the next phase of your life.
Everything is pretty much written out for you in college. You know what to expect because a syllabus is given to you for every class and your teachers pretty much tell you their expectations for the semester. Overall, how to be successful in college is a pretty standard formula: pick a major, go to class, figure out how you learn best, pass your classes, intern, join student organizations to gain experience, and then graduate.
Post graduation, you gotta figure out what “formula” works best for you. What works for your friends may not work for you and the path for figuring out your purpose will be different from those around you.
Since there isn’t any specific formula for success after you receive your diploma, it’s okay for you to question the decisions you made in undergrad and ponder what you would do differently if you could do it all over again. Just don’t allow regret to overwhelm you.
If you were on top in college but now feel like you’re at the bottom, this feeling is temporary. You will figure it out. Life post-grad is a different game with a different set of rules. Once you figure out the tools you need to be successful, you’ll get back on your game and graduate to the next phase of your life.
As you discover what formula works best for you, support those around you and realize this time in your life is temporary. You’ll get your time to shine. It’s going to be okay.