Thousands of students are gearing up for their last college semester this spring. I always pictured this time of my life filled with excitement and happiness… no one prepared me for the feeling of helplessness. Although not finished until August, I feel the plight of my peers; what happens now? Where will I live? And most importantly, what will I do?
Unemployment rates are steadily decreasing, although very modestly according to a report Although in this recession, many would argue that any decrease is good. Yet what about all of the students who will enter the job market after college? Many of my friends have already committed to going home where their parents are and figuring it out in the safest place in the world; with the comfort of mommy and daddy. Some of my more daring friends have decided to prolong their undergraduate career by adding on a double major or a couple of minors; being in the job market is far too risky right now and being in school is safe is the logic for many of them. My more hopeful friends are banking on acceptance into graduate school, Peace Corps, Teach for America or some other program that provides resume building without entering the realm of a 9a.m-5p.m. I only have ONE friend who is actually actively pursuing a job.
Is there an approach that is best? I have no idea. I am just as scared and confused as the next soon to be grad. I too, toyed with the idea of adding a double major… but there needs to be sufficient $$$ for that. I love my family, but I never pictured myself living at home again; I also am unsure if I could handle rules after four years of freedom (ice cream in the morning? I think yes, mom votes NO). Graduate school is a definite possibility but with programs accepting 7-9 out of the 150+ that apply I feel like my chances are grim but not completely desolate. Yet the application pool is much more competitive than before with many adults rationalizing the best way to move up the career ladder is by returning to school years after they received their bachelor’s degree,
So how do I plan on getting through this next semester and the summer? By telling myself: “Do Not Freak Out- Remain Calm.” I also plan to use my itunes a lot in these upcoming months. Rocking out to some music is actually not only a way to build rhythm, but a great way to de-stress according to emedexpert.com (http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/music.shtml). Fellow students, don’t worry, if the job market does not clear up in 6months and being a humanitarian does not work out and you don’t get into graduate school or mom and dad say no to moving back home, there is always the option of … of… well let me know if you figure it out.