I Finished School… Now What?
Finishing school is a major milestone that takes years of hard work and dedication. Traditionally, you have your last day of school with your peers and celebrate at the end of class. But when you finish your last semester online, the ending looks very different.
My last assignment was a short quiz on a Monday night. I didn’t really have a “last day of classes” like many people in college and graduate school do. Instead, I submitted my last assignment, and I was suddenly finished.
I completed a major achievement with a somewhat anticlimactic ending, leaving myself asking one question:
What now?
Life After Graduation: Relief Meets Uncertainty
For many people, graduation marks the end of a significant chapter in their lives. Still, it doesn’t always immediately unlock the next part of your life. If you don’t have something lined up, you’re suddenly left with a mix of relief and uncertainty. On one hand, you’re proud of finishing school. On the other hand, you’re staring at an open calendar, wondering what comes next.
This sudden free time can feel strange. No classes, no assignments, no deadlines. Instead, you’re met with a lot of advice:
“Enjoy this time, you’ll miss it later when you start working!”
“You should take this time to relax with your family.”
“This is a great time to catch up on the things you’ve never had time for.”
It’s all good advice, and I’ve appreciated hearing it. However, we often overlook the tension that comes with having too much free time on our hands. After graduation, you’re constantly balancing the chance to breathe and the urgency to start your career.
The Strange Transition Period
As someone who is currently navigating the post-grad limbo, I find myself feeling caught between accomplishment, productivity, and uncertainty. I’ve always thrived on structure, first as a full-time student and then in grad school, where deadlines and projects kept me on a strict schedule.
As a result, having so much free time suddenly feels uncomfortable. I’m used to being a workaholic, always having something to keep me busy. Academics easily filled that space for me with lectures, readings, and assignments. Now that I don’t have lectures to listen to, textbooks to read, and assignments to complete, I have to fill that space with my own activities.
Since graduating, I’ve felt a constant urge to make sure I’m using this time the “right way.” As tempting as it is, sitting around all day and doing nothing doesn’t feel good to me. Instead, I’ve had to figure out how to replace the built-in structure of school with my own activities, routines, and goals.
How I’m Spending My Time
During this limbo period, I’ve given myself a “full-time job:” finding a job.
Everyone says that job searching is its own full-time job, and that idea is absolutely spot on. Most of my day is spent searching, applying, and networking. I’ve also made it a mission to become more visible on LinkedIn, which is why I started what I call the LinkedIn Visibility Project. I carve out time to brainstorm, create, and share content, ensuring I post consistently and build connections through what I publish. Not only does this keep me active in my field, but it also doubles as portfolio work, showcasing the very skills I want to bring into my career.
I’ve also gotten into writing blogs, which is something I have always wanted to do. Writing has always been a healthy outlet for me, and it’s one of my strengths. Now, it’s also a way to build professional writing samples, especially for marketing roles where blogs are a common deliverable.
With all of this work, I don’t forget to spend time with my family and devote time to my personal life. I’ve made sure to spend precious time with my family and reconnect with old friends. I’ve also spent more time on the hobbies I love, like working out, reading, and playing my favorite video games with friends.
Looking deeper into this time, I’ve come to appreciate it. By finding where I have breathing room and where I can afford to rest, it’s helping me grow as a working professional. This is a skill I’ll carry into whatever career path lies ahead, because balance between work and life is essential to success in any role.
Lessons & Advice for Fellow Graduates
To all of my fellow recent grads, this time can be as daunting as it is relaxing. If you’re feeling behind because you don’t have a job immediately out of school, remember that you’re not alone. Many of us are in the same boat, navigating this uncertain period together.
Use this period to build a flexible but consistent routine and focus on self-improvement. Work on those passion projects you’ve been putting off. Complete online certifications to sharpen your skills. This is a time to invest in yourself and your future.
It’s also easy to stay at home and isolate. If you’re like me, you probably love doing everything from the comfort of your own space. But too much alone time can hurt your mental health. The last thing you want is to feel stuck and alone, so make sure you’re staying socially connected. Reach out to friends and family. Sometimes, a simple change of scenery and a good conversation can reset your mindset.
Lastly, don’t overlook the gift of breathing room. This may be one of the few times in life when you truly get to slow down, explore your interests, and set the foundation for what comes next. Instead of rushing past it, use it to recharge and prepare for the opportunities ahead.
Making the Most of the In-Between
All in all, this “in-between” stage is uncomfortable, but incredibly valuable. There is no perfect way to navigate and use this time, either; it’s entirely up to you. What matters most is using the time intentionally. Between applications and interviews, carve out time for personal growth and nurturing relationships. Turning this limbo into a season of progress is one of the smartest things you can do, and your future self will thank you for it. The “Now what?” phase isn’t wasted time. It’s simply part of the journey, a chapter that teaches patience, resilience, and self-direction. Every graduate has a limbo phase. The difference lies in how you choose to move through it.
For anyone who found this relatable or is currently going through this phase, I invite you to reflect:
How can you use this time to invest in yourself and the future you’re building?
