Lessons I wish I knew when I left college
It has been 3 years since I left college. The journey since then has been strange and perplexing. Out of college, adapting to the new job life is nothing short of a roller coaster ride. You lose a lot of friends, gain a few; learn the corporate jargon/ways, and understand how different life is when you are trying to make both ends meet and not chill in an engineering college on your parent’s money. There is stress about where you want your life to go: job, maybe a Masters, the job again, earn, pay taxes, earn even more, pay even more taxes and death. There are things I wish I knew when I left college. I am not sure how much you will relate to it at some point in your life or how they will help you. But, I do wish they do help at least a single soul.
- It is ok to fully spend your first paycheck. But, save from the second paycheck. Savings always come handy.
“Don’t save what is left after spending; spend what is left after saving.”
Warren Buffet aptly puts it. Trust the wisdom of the Oracle of Omaha
2. Make/Keep friends. Your friendships will dwindle with your close friends due to geography(different job posting locations). It is ok. It is not worth kicking yourself for losing friendships. If it is not meant to be, it is not meant to be
3. It is ok to not have a plan in life. It is ok that you are still trying to figure out what you want life to be. It is ok if you do not have the answer to the cliched question “Where do you see yourself in 5 years”. It is ok
4. There is no point comparing yourself to others. You will gain nothing. Huh maybe, anxiety. The grass is always greener on the other side. It is ok for you to be not earning as much as your peers. Do not pander thinking someone else has more zeroes at the end of their paycheck
5. Do not doubt yourself. Do not fill yourself in disdain thinking someone else is better at what you are doing. It is ok not to be the smartest person in the room. Instead, let it be the motivation to strive harder towards your work
6. Do not care about what others think of you. They do not know your struggles. They are clueless about your battles. Be honest with yourself. By now, have you not lost enough hair trying to please the society, being acceptable, trying to fit in? It is ok. You cannot please everyone. Please yourself first. Do what you want to do
7. Explore things. Maybe try to find your calling. While trying out your passion/calling, you might raise a lot of eyebrows and draw nasty stares. Your parents might question your decision. They might even stop talking, be angry or resentful. It is ok. Trust me, they will come around after some time
8. But, parents will play a part. Do not leave them out of your story. Share with them. It is ok to include them in your life. Who knows. They might help you during your rough patch
9. Exercise daily. Read anything(articles, blogs, news, books, etc) daily. I do not even want to explain the rationale for doing it. It is ok for me not wanting to explain ;)
10. It is ok to feel low. It is ok to feel lost. Life is not a sprint. It is a long marathon. Enjoy it. Cherish the memories. :)
I could go on and on about things mentioned in every other self-help/self-growth blog: Consistency, diligence, following a routine, the value of time blah blah blah. These things eventually creep in when you are enjoying what you are doing in life.
