Entering the "real world"

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Okay, I'm graduating college tomorrow and I'm really nervous about what is in my future as it's all very uncertain to me. The only thing I know is that I'm an adult now and I have to start taking care of myself (although I don't have the funds to move out just yet). I don't have my driver's license so my job search seems fairly limited since public transportation isn't readily accessible. Loans are looming over my head. I will be sending out resumes and scheduling interviews to take place after my wisdom teeth are pulled on May 20th. So I guess what I'm asking is what can I do to make this transition smoother? What did you do when you entered the real world? Anything that I should look for or stay away from? Replies would be appreciated, as I'm honestly scared out of my mind about what's going to happen for the next couple of years.

Congratulations Erisad!

I don't have any advice for you, not having yet made it in the real world myself, but a college degree is a huge asset in getting a job so that's great already!

Thanks! I hope I'm able to find work doing what I love: writing. I'm aiming to get into publication editing if I can.

Student loan payments can be deferred if you do not have a job.

Are you sure you need to get your wisdom teeth out? Most people take them out for no good reason.

You do not give much details so it is hard to give advice. Be confident and informed and do what is practical. Who do you have to help you? Do you have a place to live, someone who can drive you places, teach you how to drive?

You've always been in the real world, every world is real, from the college-student's world to the cubicle-dweller's world, to the third-world peasant's world. You've graduated from high school and college, so you have accomplished more than most people can. Give yourself credit for what you have already accomplished.

Congrats! I plummeted into the "real world," ie the world of bill-paying and grocery shopping, head over heals. (It took me years to adapt to it, but that's another story.) My two bits: stay home until you are more secure. There's nothing wrong with that, especially these days. Good luck on your interviews!

My wisdom teeth are impacted and have been causing me pain for a while now so getting them out is a good idea. >.<

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm living with my mother, brother and grandmother. I'll have a place to live so long as my grandmother stays alive as her will indicates that her house will be sold and profits split up among her four children. Mom will drive me around places while I attend driving school.

jamesongerbil - Yeah, I'll be staying home for a while, I think. At least until I'm ready to move out anyway. So I'm guessing I'll be at home for at least 2 years after my first job. That doesn't seem too unreasonable right?

My sons are 20 & 22, they both still live at home and haven't been able to gain employment. One son just finished his 1st year of college and wants to transfer to a school 1 1/2 hours drive away. My other son doesn't drive and hasn't had a job yet and he has given up on finding a job close enough for us to drive him to work. I would rather my sons stay home for as long as they can, I know they are anxious to get out in the world, but the one that doesn't drive is also anxious about life in the "real world" too. With the economy the way it is most of the kids around here in their 20's still live at home. My sons friend just got home from his 4th year away at college and moved back in with his mother and sister.
Stay home for now and enjoy it while you can, while your Grandmothers health declines you should be prepared for the move at that time, I would suggest starting a "Hope Chest" for all of the things you will need after the move, like dishes and towels and gadgets that you won't be able to get all at once when you do have to move. Also be learning and practicing a budget and grocery shopping and prepare to drive if you want, my 22year old doesn't want to learn to drive and I have 2 sisters who don't drive also. But you need to use your time at home wisely to prepare yourself for the big move. Good luck to you, I know it's scary, but you'll do just fine, remember you only have to make yourself comfortable, so find your comfort zone and you will be just fine.
Gina

Treat every job you have as another 'lab' class.

Made a fool of myself.

- Memorize as many Fallacies of Logic & Reason and their applications as you can.
- Stay away from alcohol, drugs, red meat, and men who want to have sex with you in front of a camera.
- Always find a way to pay the mortgage or rent bill first (being homeless sucks worse than being sick).
- Stay away from any multi-level marketing scheme, especially if they want you to join without checking your references first.
- Forgive whenever possible, and then act like you've forgotten
- Examine your own faith, but never take any religion seriously.
- Look for a group of people your age, your gender, and your educational level, and network with them.
- Set up a "Mad Money" account ... $20 per paycheck will work.
- Stay away from bars, clubs and any party that features alcohol and loud music (... no one can hear you scream ...).
- Look for a public library, start borrowing books, and return them in a timely manner (even if you don't read them).
- Learn how to fix a faucet, clear a drain, replace a garbage disposal, and program your VCR/CD/DVD/TiVo/Blu-Ray player.
- Always drive yourself to an interview, a meeting, or a party.
- Use your middle name, first initial, and mother's maiden name (in that order) when starting an on-line social account.
- Trust no one at their word; verify, verify, verify...
- Avoid psychics, and anyone else who claims to have an insight into spiritual enlightenment.
- Wear sunscreen and a large-brimmed hat when outdoors.
- Change your passwords often.
- Visit at least one foreign country every few years; nothing erodes prejudice so much as "going native" in a foreign land.
- See your doctor regularly; find a good OB/GYN.
- Wear clean underwear daily.
- Floss and brush your teeth at least once a day; find a good dentist.
- Learn a martial art, if only for the exercise.
- Learn a musical instrument, if only to gain the confidence.
- Always have someone "check in" with you when you are on a date (especially a first or blind date).
- Learn a foreign language, if only to haggle and swear in another country.
- Cultivate classic manners and etiquette; you never know when they will come in handy.
- Learn to dance ballroom style, if only to have an excuse to wear a pretty gown.
- Cultivate a personality - even your good looks will eventually fade ( ).
- Learn to prepare and correctly serve a seven-course meal.
- Start and maintain an herb garden.
- Learn how to properly check and change the oil and tires on a car.
- Attend city council meetings.
- Go to funerals with your friends, even if you didn't know the deceased.
- Learn to clean and fire a handgun.
- When you achieve success, remember those of us who thought well enough of you to offer our advice.



Best wishes!

yes stay home until you're like 25. and dont expect to come out of the gate winning. and learn to budget. and most of all, good luck, it aint all that awesome after awhile.

Well, I did the ones in bold already. So I guess I'm on to a good start.

However, I did date a man who always recorded our intimacies. He did promise to never post these online and even gave me a signed document too so I could use it in court if needed. XD

P.S. The saxophone is a sexy instrument for a lady to play. Apparently saxophone players make excellent kissers as well.

Yeah, my mom is saying how she wants to get me a hope chest so I'll be starting on that. I'm already practicing a budget, it's called the "unemployed college student budget." Seriously, I'm pretty good with my money.

Musicprophets - Yeah, I'm expecting to start out on the bottom rung of the ladder but hell, I've already proven my high school psychologist who diagnosed me with AS wrong by graduating college when she said I couldn't. I wish I knew her name so I could send her a photocopy of my diploma with a lovely f*** you letter attached. Oh well, it's for the better.

Hey There!

I too am making the same journey as well. i just got myself a degree in computer engineering and i am going to make the plunge into finding work, getting groceries, laundry etc. I am afraid as much as you are but i have a gut instinct that tells me that i will have to meet each challenge as they come. Right now, i am being a lazy slob and relaxing after a really hard semester and i will make the transition to the "real world" in a short while.

Yeah, I'm really tired and celebrating mother's day today with my family so I'll start the job search later. First I have to update my resume and add my new GPA and my "cum laude" honors on my degree. I didn't know I graduated with honors until I got to the ceremony. XD

On trying to find a job, don't put all your hopes into one basket. Like don't only look at certain online sites, or only at newspaper classified. Need to get everywhere. I'd also say, expand your locale. Looking for jobs right near you don't work when you're in a small town among small towns.

Yes Quartz? You keep giving me that shocked face but never with an explanation. XD

I know not to only use one source. That would be silly. I'm thinking of taking a civil service test so I could work for the government if the opportunity arises.