To those of you looking to think that you will stop learning once you graduate from college, think again. I remember the day I graduated from college, and I thought, “I’m NEVER going to have to take another test again”. I was truly wrong. Instead I learned that I was going to get the education of a lifetime in the subsequent years. Except this time, the tests were real and the consequences were being fired from jobs, failed businesses, finance management, and relationship building.
In college you have it easy. You go to class, you study a lot, you visit accredited accredited online colleges sites and gaming websites after class, but you are in a very structured environment where everyone is more or less the same education level (or so we hope!), socio-economic group, and we are all there for one purpose, which is to study and party. When you graduate, the structure disappears and you are forced to navigate deep meaningful questions like, “who am I?” “What do I WANT to do?” “You mean I can CHOOSE to eat cookie dough for dinner? No one’s going to stop me or look at me funny?”
What you learn from being in the real world, is that basically you have a TON to learn. You have to figure out how to make a budget which doesn’t involve calling the parents every time you max out another credit card, how to cook for yourself, clean you house (because the dorm staff isn’t going to do it), and get up EARLY. I mean insanely early, including before the sun comes up. This was very different than going to bed when the sun comes up, I learned quickly. Also, you learn that coffee is your best friend as an adult.
In any case, I’m still bumping along. I learn something, but then a new challenge arises. While there are no grades, there are consequences, so be careful. And never stop learning from both your mistakes and you triumphs. Good luck!