给大学毕业生的7个建议

 　　I'm now a little more than two years out of college. When I graduated, I was new to town, living alone in a small apartment and about to start grad school. Today, I'm a grad school dropout 1, living with my boyfriend in a slightly larger apartment, and on my second job.

　　Let's just say that life after college should have a subtitle—trial by fire, I'd call it—and that you learn a lot. These seven tips will help you keep it all in perspective.
　　Keep in touch with your friends. The people you spent four or so years with? They're the best friends you'll ever have—trust me on this. Send cards for birthdays, set up Skype dates, and travel to see one another. It's hard making friends without the wonderful, semi-artificial environment of college, and having a support network is one of the most important things when you're stepping out on your own.
　　But make an effort to meet new people. Most of us recent grads don't live in the same cities as our friends. Go to networking events, go to meetings. (I met one of my friends when we were leaving a Junior League interest meeting, even though neither of us ended up joining.) Become accustomed to carrying on real conversation with new acquaintances—it'll help you both socially and professionally.
　　Don't let weddings get to you. It's tough. Weddings bring up a lot of questions about our own love lives; whether you're single and looking, in a relationship and waiting for the proposal, or just disgruntled over weddings, there's no avoiding weddings or marriage. Get used to it now, because soon you'll be attending a lot of these gatherings 2. Be happy for your friends, and either learn to be content with your own situation or do something about it!
　　Learn how to manage your finances. If you're clueless about 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, or basic budgets, start educating yourself. The one thing missing from most college educations is personal finance, but this is the probably the single most important thing you need to survive.
　　Buy a real wardrobe. If you've played your cards right and allocated 3 money in your budget just for shopping, start saving for classic, timeless items. One $300 wool coat in a neutral color with good stitching and construction might give you some sticker shock, but it's a far more savvy 4 purchase than five $60 cheaply-made coats of synthetic 5 materials.
　　Find something else to do with your time. Work may give you the resources you need to clothe and feed yourself, but let's face it—it's unlikely to fulfill 6 you in every way. What should you do instead? Join an organization or a young professionals club, volunteer your time, or find a pet project that sparks your creativity. When you have outside interests, you'll achieve a better balance.
　　Follow your gut 7. Does a boss seem crazy? Does that guy make you question his intentions? If a decision doesn't feel like the right one, deep down, then it probably isn't. Follow your instinct and let it guide you. Sometimes you might say yes anyway, but always remember when you went with your gut instinct and when you didn't. It'll help you in the future.