New chapters ahead!
It’s been almost two months since I’ve packed my things and left the college that I’ve called home for these past four years. And while I feel ready to move on from academics and into a world of opportunity, I can’t help but still be like a little piece of myself is left back at Bates. While I am excited to move forward to new experiences, I can’t help but feel like I am leaving behind too many memories, friendships, and places. But, when it comes down to it, I don’t have a choice to go back to what my life was like (unless I want to pay $ to go back to school lol!). Since I know a lot of you guys are around my age, I thought I would share a few common things we are all going through. Here are some things that I have personally been struggling with and how I have been coping with them.
1. Distance from friendships. Luckily, two of my good friends from school happen to live in the same area as me, so, for now, I can still see at least two familiar faces from school. But I am still far from my boyfriend, teammates, and many more friends. The reality is college isn’t a permanent phase, but that doesn’t mean your friendships have to end. While you may no longer be able to catch up every morning for coffee before 8 AM classes, Facetime still exists! And luckily, when you become a working girl, you’ll be able to have a little more funds to fly in and do weekend excursions. In the meantime, definitely schedule in some time on your calendar for catching up via FaceTime!
2. Leaving favorite places. I LOVED Maine and really see myself going back later in life. It is hard thinking about not being able to go out on weekend excursions to Portland or sitting by The Puddle (campus pond) and watching the sunset with my friends. Or going to the beach. Leaving a state and campus that I love has been hard, but I am trading this place for some time at home with family. And who knows where I will end up working! I find it exciting that I am about to finally start working, being financially stable, and living somewhere different! If you are currently back home, take some time to discover new hikes, bars, or a yoga studio–or, visit your old favorite spots! If you are moved into a new apartment for a new job, GO OUT: get uncomfortable and explore your new city on your own. Yelp your new place up to find all the coolest places to explore. Chances are, when you focus on exploring new areas, you will feel a little less homesick–and you might bump into some new friends along the way!
3. Ending a career in sports. I have competed in track and field for about eleven years now. The endless hours, medals, tears, and injuries have really helped me become the person that I am today. If it weren’t for the dedication that I’ve put into track, I wouldn’t be half as good as I am at balancing work and understanding how hard it is to achieve something. Lastly, track has taught me about failure. And that failing is inevitable if you want to succeed. While your athletic career may be at its end like mine, it is important to remember the lessons that a sport has taught you: dedication, collaboration, focus–these are all great skills that you need when you move on from college. Additionally, retiring from a sport can be an exciting time to put more time into other hobbies that you have been interested in! Try something new! And if you still don’t feel like that void is filled, look into coaching and giving back to the sport that has taught you so much!
4. Leaving a club/greek life. Clubs or Greek life are often how we find our friends. It can be a weird transition when going from college, where it was fairly easy to make connections, to being on your own in a new city. I think working somewhere new and living in a new location requires you to be a little uncomfortable and open to putting yourself out there! And if you still feel like you haven’t felt like you have found your crew, there is the internet! I am not opposed to making friends online. I actually am a huge fan of the app and website, Meetup, which has different groups all over the place! So if you are looking for a friend to do something specific with, like to go skateboarding, you can find a whole group to hang with! Also, I just recently heard about Bumble BFF; a couple of my friends have used the app to meet new people when moving somewhere new!
5. If you can, take time to be with your family. One thing that won’t change is family. Whether that is your biological fam, or friends you hold dearly. Big changes are happening, don’t let yourself cope alone! And always talk to someone you trust if you are struggling. You are not alone in this process. I always find it easy to talk to my sister about figuring out my post-grad life, because she is four years older than me!
Lastly, I would just like to say, take some time for yourself to think! It is okay if you do not have a job lined up, or if you aren’t where you want to be currently. WE JUST GRADUATED. We have time–be proactive on what you want, and trust that the work you put into your life will take you somewhere! I hope this post might help you if you are in a rut about leaving campus. Keep grinding and moving forward, and always hold your friends and memories dearly. 💛
