For the last three months of my senior year, the only thing on my mind was graduation. Every morning I woke up and crossed a day off of my countdown. It was a routine for me. I was applying for jobs and looking forward to the next chapter in my life.

Fast forward to present day and I’m leaving for New York in a few days. I’ve known for quite some time that I was going to move to New York after graduating, but I didn’t make it public knowledge in case I were to jinx it. For those of you wondering, I don’t have a job. I’m still waiting to hear back from a few places. Initially that really scared me. I’m a recent graduate moving to one of the most expensive cities and I don’t have a job?? It’s fine. I’ll make it. I’m learning that things fall into place at different times. I have a roommate, I have a place to live. My main focus is getting a job. Wish me luck, please! 

My advice for you: Don’t be afraid to take a jump. Apply for your dream job, move to a big city. I am a very cautious person. I’ve always taken the safe route and for the first time in my life I’m taking a leap of faith. If you’re going to do it, right after college is the time. As a recent graduate, I’m not tied down to anything. I’m focusing on myself and that’s exactly what you should be doing too.

As far as the transition from a full time student to full time adult goes, that was weird. The first few days at home I kept thinking that I had to pack my suitcase to go back to school soon and that I had homework I needed to get done. And then I’d pinch myself. So I spent some time doing the best possible thing I could do with no responsibilities left to worry about — hang out with my friends from back home.

My advice for you: Call your friends as soon as you get home, it’s not like you have homework to worry about. Friends you haven’t seen since high school perhaps. Hang out with them before you move away or start a new job. Nine times out of ten there’s usually a period of one or two weeks before you start your job. Go out to lunch with them and reminisce because once your professional life starts, it’s such a fast track and who knows where it’ll take you.