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You are about to enter a society that is faced with a falling economy. High gas prices, layoffs and a troubled stock market await you. Let’s keep it real: Things don’t look like they’ll be getting any better anytime soon.
The comfort of your dorm room, the convenience of a meal plan, and the ease of missing a class here and there for a weekend road trip are long gone. I know you have put in a lot of long nights studying, writing papers and preparing presentations to earn that degree. You worked hard, but the reality of the situation is this: Even harder work lies ahead.
If you aren’t among the lucky ones who’ve already scored jobs, chances are you have a few applications out and are contemplating going back to school or living with your parents. Don’t be discouraged.
You are part of a resourceful generation, a group of savvy go-getters who know how to capitalize on youth. Just look at Facebook, MySpace and YouTube — three huge moneymakers made by young people.
Be creative. Think about what it is you can do and be prepared to work your arse off.
But before you enter the working world or hide in your room brainstorming ways to stretch that stimulus check, I’m going to tell you something I wish someone would have told me when I graduated.
Take a vacation.
That’s right. I said it. Despite the odds you’re facing, I believe you deserve a break. Because once the ball starts rolling in the real world, it doesn’t usually stop.
Vacations will be hard to come by once your career begins. The time of Christmas breaks, wild spring flings and a complete summer off are over. Most professionals don’t even get the chance to use all of their paid days off, and many of them use that time to take care of responsibilities instead of kicking back to relax.
Like many college students, I worked to help pay for books and take care of myself. My summers took place at J. Crew and Structure. I never had a wild spring break. I never had a chance to backpack across Europe or even use my passport.
Within one week of my graduation, I was interning at The Kansas City Star, followed by stints in California and Minnesota. I had only five vacation days that year.
In the six years of my career, I’ve only had one real vacation — one awesome week in Hawaii.
All of my other days off have been dedicated to visiting family, going to weddings and trying to stay connected to friends. I love my job, but I wish I would have had the opportunity to enjoy my new life after graduation — or at least a little time without real commitments and responsibility.
Even with the debt I had back then, I don’t think a trip would have hurt. I’m not encouraging anyone to accrue more debt, but I am saying if you are going to spend a few hundred on shopping or manicures or getting your hair done, think again. Spend it on a trip and a lifetime memory.
So after you turn that tassel and toss that cap filled with the freedom of your college years into the air, take some time to enjoy yourself. After all, this is a real celebration.
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