What people don’t tell you about graduating college

I have officially been post grad for three years. Accomplishing a task I never thought I would, defeating obstacle after obstacle, and actually graduating in 3 years. But one thing no one ever told me about was the depression and stress that follows and the lessons you learn through this adulting journey. Going to UT Martin changed me in so many ways, but the biggest change I noticed is in my smile. I have always had a nice smile, but through my college experience I gained confidence and self love like no other. And you can feel that joy when I smile.

In college, I was riding on an amazing wave of happiness and freedom, but no one tells you about the immediate lows you go thru afterwards trying to figure out what your next move will be. No one tells you how it feels like you're in a rush to figure out things, like there's a ticking time bomb on your head. And no one tells you that it's okay to not have everything together, or change your plans. I had an entire 10 year plan for my life, I'm extremely analytical and logical and just knew how my life would go. But then I actually went to college. I became involved, I joined organizations, started an amazing job, made best friends, held protests, worked on campaigns, and the list goes on and on. But what I didn't do was prepare myself for the life I was living in Martin to come to an end.

Honestly, I didn't even think it would be a crazy transition. I didn't take into account the entire life I had built, the friends, the relationships, all of which I was leaving, to go back to Memphis where I didn't really know anyone besides family. That was hard for me, but not impossible. Now that I'm three years post grad I'm actually so thankful for that time. I think in many ways people like to "keep busy" to seem productive and other things. But when everything slows down, the room is quiet, and you're just there with nothing to do, everything you were avoiding is smack dab in your face and you have to deal with it.

I have learned so much about myself in these three years, here are my top two:

Self care, your emotional and physical well being are so important. I'm not willing to sacrifice my health and happiness for anyone. That's how much I love me. And Self sufficiency, being able to live on my own, take care of myself, and taking care of Mac, is so crucial to my well being. With these two important pieces on lock, everything else falls into place perfectly. So, to conclude, I hope this helps some of the recent grads and I hope you realize you don't have to have it all together.

We're growing and glowing everyday.