 The
shock after the mortarboard
March 28, 2001
Leaving
school after graduation comes with many months of re-adjustment
and confusion. Get ready for the topsy-turvy world that nobody warned
you about.
By
Kwok Kar Peng
(Click
on pictures for larger image)
Everyone in my university had to attend a Human Resource Management
course before we could graduate.
Every
morning for a week, I battled rudely awakened dreams to attend these
classes that would supposedly empower me for the world beyond libraries
and tuckshops.
I
didn't learn much from that course. Not even how to write a decent
resume.
Reality
settled in after I graduated and did my obligatory round of temp
jobs and frantic hobnobbing around the world.
Yes,
I hear you, Winona and Ethan. Reality Bites.
After
almost 2 years, and still as penniless as before, I give you my
tried-and-endured way to survive the first year after leaving school.
Survive
Without Your Friends
Separation
between buddies is unavoidable when you leave school.
Some
of us go through an emotional emptiness. Bitch, cry, rant all you
want but you'll need to recover.
My friend Wei Shuan, 24, remembers the dark hole she sank into 6
months after entering this new phase in life.
"All my friends were either occupied with their further studies,
or had sunken neck-deep into their new jobs. Asking them out was
impossible. They either had homework, or were too tired.
"We used to have lunch everyday and the rowdiest time gossiping
and drooling over guys. Life without them was hard to get used to.
I started building a wall to convince myself I didn't need them."
Both parties must want to make it work if friendships are to survive.
Don't let go of your friends and don't forget to give them a ring
once in a while.
No matter how busy you are, there is always time, even if only for
two minutes, to catch up with the people who shared the better part
of your life.
It doesn't matter if you can't chat. A call, an SMS or an email
to say 'hi' is good enough.
On the other hand, don't look over the many new people in your life
who will make good friends if you give them a chance to.
Survive The Twilight Zone
Another friend Derek graduated last June. Things were fine till
he became a sudden recluse 4 months ago. Reason: he said he just
didn't want to be around people.
This is the time when you are suddenly thrust into a new environment
where you have to search for your life meaning and purpose. Life
is no longer just school and exams.
What do I want out of this life? Do I pursue my dream job, or do
I settle for a dull but stable one? How much money should I give
my parents? I miss school.
At some point, you may even question the logic behind slaving away
for the next 30 years, earning enough money for marriage, a flat,
a car and your children's education.
Except for a lucky few, the rest of us will probably still be searching
for the elusive meaning of life years on.
To know it is wonderful, but don't stress yourself out contemplating.
Put your priorities in life straight. Find it slowly or think of
vague ones like 'My meaning in life is to be happy and honourable'.
Though I cannot put my finger on where I'll be when I'm 45, I do
know that having short-term goals start me off.
The bottom line is that you must have a positive outlook on your
life. Be ready to meet the many challenges and changes. If you aren't
happy with your current situation, don't grumble. Work around it.
Find a job you enjoy. It may take a long time but keep your eyes
open and your resumes going.
While you are young, job stability becomes secondary to job satisfaction.
But remember that when the economy is shaky, knowing where your
next few pay cheques are coming from gives a great peace of mind.
Being young is our excuse to make mistakes and poke our fingers
into every pot of honey. Don't worry too much and just enjoy life.
After all, isn't that what life is all about?
Like
this story?
>> Mail
it to a friend!
Join
the discussion in our message boards
Life
After Graduation
Related
story
I
Quit My Job To Travel The World
|
