Musings on a Year as an Alum

One year ago I graduated from Syracuse University, a year ahead of schedule. As the vast majority of my friends are graduating this year, I thought I'd offer you guys this: another list to add to the unsolicited advice you have no doubt been receiving over the past few months.

One week from TODAY you will be an alum. Some of you are freaking out too much. Some of you are not freaking out enough. If you are going to grad school, I really don't have a lot for you, as I have never been in that situation. If you already have a job, I'm sure everyone hates you. If you don't have a job, you're in the same boat I was a year ago

Either way, I can tell you when it is really going to hit you. After the ceremony, after your family leaves, when you are by yourself, maybe in your bedroom. Maybe you'll be starting to pack, or collapse on your bed because of the craziness of the weekend. That's when you'll realize, "I will never be a undergrad again." Some of you may realize, "I will never be a student again." There's no way to prepare for it. Just let the emotions hit you and try to remember that life will go on. You're not as lost as you think.

So is a small list of things to think about:

• Maybe you're moving back home. Everyone's situation and relationship with their parents is obviously very different. But if you're dreading going from (almost) complete independence and crazy roommates to Mom & Pop, think of your positives. You can't beat the financial situation. With looming student loans, think of the hundreds (maybe thousands) your saving by staying home for a while. As far as your interactions with your parents, hopefully they'll treat you like a adult, but still remember to pick your battles. A little bit of compromise on your part will go a long way in ensuring you're not miserable for however long you're home.
• Let's face it. The economy sucks. Or at least people think it does, so that's how the job market is reacting. I know the Career Services folks are screaming for you to network, and that's go to be a smart move. But don't forget to supplement that with the good old classified ads - that's where I found my job. DO RESEARCH on the companies you're applying to so you can customize your cover letters and resumes. I know my boss hates when people apply for jobs and the only thing they know about us is what was listed in the ad.
• Budget Budget Budget. December will come quicker than you think, and that first student loan bill may come as a bit of a shock. The best thing I did was setting up another checking account. The only thing I use that account for is to pay my student loan and my car loan. Other than that I don't touch it. When you get a job, direct deposit a chunk of every paycheck there. Depending on your expenses, the amount you can put away will vary. But remember as your expenses and income change to adjust the amount you're putting toward your loan. Also, don't forget about the interest that is going to accrue on your loan. Any payments you make get applied to late fees and interest first, so don't be surprised when your principal is not going down as fast as you'd like.

I guess those are the main points. Cherish your last week of college - party it up, sit on the quad, take mental pictures of those places on campus you never want to forget.

This is kind of an end for me too. All my personal connections to SU will be gone. I'm going to miss you guys - although I know we'll Facebook and Twitter until we're 90. There's probably some of you I will never see again. Although, maybe we'll meet again in 10 0r 15 years - you know I'm much more likely to go to your reunion than to mine.