May is finally here, and for graduating seniors, that means finishing up last papers, taking last exams and giving last presentations.
You finally get to walk across that stage and grab the diploma you have worked so hard for.
After that initial excitement and relief, though, usually comes some downtime.
And it’s probably the first truly extended period of time off from any and all commitments that you’ve had since middle school.So what should you do with those endless days of no appointments, meetings, deadlines or classes? Find a way to make the time meaningful. Here are some of our ideas to do just that.
Read
It’s probably been far too long since you’ve picked up a book to read for fun after spending four years reading dense texts for your degree. Now is the time to hit up the library for those young adult books that have been calling your name or those mystery thrillers you’ve been dying to binge read. But while you’re at the library or bookstore stocking up on your guilty pleasures, check out the nonfiction section, too. Read more about the career you’re entering or choose a topic that you never got the chance to study in college. Remind yourself how awesome reading really is.
Learn About Money
One thing you probably didn’t learn in college was how to manage your personal finances. It’s a skill we all need, but one our public and private schools rarely teach us. You’ll find tons of resources online, but it wouldn’t hurt to hit up the finance section of the library while you’re snagging all your fun books.
Cook
Hopefully, you did a little cooking in college, but an emptier schedule gives you a great chance to perfect your go-to healthy recipes. Figure out what vegetables you like and how to cook them, experiment with a Crock-Pot to have easy meals in your back pocket and think about what you can make for grab-and-go breakfasts and snacks. The more you can figure out now, the healthier your transition to real life will be.
Clean & Organize
Go through your clothes. Get rid of anything that screams “college.” Seriously, it’s time to get rid of the frat flats—they should never see the light of day again. Streamline your wardrobe. That way, when you move into an apartment, you’ll only take what you’re actually going to wear.
Start an Exercise Routine
Make exercise a habit now, and your mind and body will thank you when the stresses of work life start piling up. Check out YouTube for free videos, scour Pinterest for bodyweight circuits, Google a Couch-to-5K program or just keep doing what you loved in college. Try out a bunch of different things so that you always have something to go to when you find yourself in a workout rut.
Relax
You earned this break! Get some extra sleep and go for long walks. Watch a little too much TV. Meet up with your high school friends for coffee. Just take the time to appreciate how hard you worked for four years, and then get psyched for what’s coming next.
This awkward in-between time can make you feel rootless and stagnant, but it can also be really invigorating and inspiring. This is probably the last stretch of time you’ll have that’s truly yours, so embrace it.
Feature Photo via We Heart It