I am having a somewhat of a difficult time realizing, or more so accepting, that my graduation is quickly approaching. I am set to end my journey here at UNCW in December and this mere fact has caused missed feelings of excitement and anxiety. Though I have known this day would come eventually and have prepared accordingly, I still find myself feeling lost as to what my next step is going to be and I am running out of time.
I have a few options, as I'm sure most people do upon graduating. I could stay in Wilmington; however, there aren't many available jobs here. Another option would be to move home and live with my mother. This cannot happen, once you're out why go back right? I could relocate to Atalanta where there are many job opprotunities available and start fresh, or move to California where my older sister is where they may possibly be a job lined up for me following graduation. I know the solution to my 'problem' seems simple--go where there's a guaranteed job offer, which is more than likely what I will do. Though I'm excited towards the thought of moving back to California, I would mean starting almost all over yet again. I had initially hoped I would be able to stay in Wilmington for a while, where I can further develop the great relationships I have made throughout these past four years, but I need to think realistically and responsibly about my future. So like I said before, I am stuck in dilemma kind of--stay or leave? I hope something comes to me send.
Jazmyn,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to what you’re going through! I am graduating (hopefully) this summer. I have no idea what I am going to do or where I am going to live when my lease runs up. I am considering moving to Raleigh with my boyfriend or possibly even Charlotte. It is very stressful trying to break the habit of consistent class schedules for the past 4 years and then suddenly being on your own. We have to take it in strides and not let our anxieties weigh us down. I mean we went to college for a reason: to discover ourselves, grow into mature adults and ultimately get a career (hopefully with a nice salary and benefits! ). Don’t stress too much; I am positive there are other students in our same predicaments.
Jazmyn,
ReplyDeleteComing from someone who had never quite figured out what they wanted to do with her life since the beginning of high school, I totally understand where you are coming from. I have struggled all year trying to figure out whether to just stay at UNCW or transfer to online or move back to Gastonia (near Charlotte) where I graduated high school. I just simply have not learned what I wanted to here, but did not really have the money to just pick up and move back. However, my mom got a job back in Charlotte so I had to sort of figure out my entire life in a week. After the summer sessions, I will finally be transferring to an online graphic design program at SCAD and do what I have been wanting to do all along, but have instead been running around in circles trying to figure out. My mom lived here for almost a year and only got called for about three interviews and all three told her she would get the job because she had ALL of the qualifications only to not get the job. I have even looked for part-time work and there just really isn't much unless you take something minimum wage and work 24/7. The best advice I have for you is to move some place that will make you happy. I know moving to California would be starting all over, but sometimes that's what you need: starting fresh in a familiar place. That's what I wrote my blog about. I'm sure that whatever you decide to do will work out. In times like these, the best thing to do is stick with your family no matter what because even when times get rough you at least have their support, even if its not financially.
I'll be graduating in December as well and I am having the same feelings of nervousness and excitement. For me, it will be a semester earlier than I was supposed to graduate so all of my friends will still be in school. I think it will be hard to look at all of their pictures on Facebook. I don't want to feel like I'm missing out on anything but it's more of a financial issue to be in school for an extra semester that I don't need. I think that you will find something so incredible no matter where you end up moving to. There might not be something at first but I would just listen to your gut feeling about where you'll be happiest and follow that. You're just getting out of college now and you'll probably never have another time like this again where you're young and able to experience life and follow what makes you feel the best. I'm not sure what I'll end up doing but I'm planning to go to Australia to visit some friends in January to figure it all out. I hope everything works out in your favor and that you end up where you're meant to be!
ReplyDeletethank you all for the kind words. I don't feel so alone now :)
ReplyDeleteJazymyn, I am in the same exact boat. I was actually supposed to graduate a few weeks ago, but of course had to go and watch all of my friends graduate why I wait until December. While I have always taken full loads of classes, transferring really messed me up credit-wise and it is hard to make up for. There are so many things running through my mind this summer as my last semester is finally approaching. I have been wanting to graduate for so long but at the same time I don't know where I will go. Like you said, it's difficult to decide where to move, where to apply for jobs, etc...I am hoping that we wil receive a little bit of guidance from our superiors at UNCW before we get pushed out the door on our own two-feet!;)
ReplyDeleteATL! Jazmyn, you are young and now is the best time to get a move on in the world. Unless you have a really good reason for staying in Wilmington (like a relationship, or a decent job) you should leave. You will make new friends but keep the closest one's at the same time. I think Atlanta is a fresh, hot, young city with lots of opportunity. If you can find what's right then do it. If it makes you happy then that is a reinforcement that it is the right decision.
ReplyDeleteLooks like we're in the same boat! I'm also graduating in December and leaving Wilmington... not quite sure where I'm going yet though. My boyfriend asked me to move in with him (he's in grad school at Charlotte) but if I can't find a job out there I don't know what I would do. I would obviously need the money to pay for my half of the rent. And like you said... moving back in with my Mom is NOT an option!
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