post graduation anxiety

So we're in mid June which means majority of colleges have let out for the summer. Woohoo graduation!! The magical moment you've thought about since your first class on your first day of college four years ago. Congrats graduates of 2017, you guys are amazing!! Graduation is definitely an exciting time, but if you're like me it can also be pretty terrifying. I mean, we've been in school for the past 18 years. Someone's always told us what to do and when to do it so if grad school isn't in your immediate post B.S plans, your new found freedom can be both refreshing and somewhat uncomfortable.

When I graduated last May, I was confident that I would be stepping straight into my glamorous life in the television production industry. I mean, I did all the right things- #SummaCumLaudeClub and I was meeting all the right people (way more informational interviews than I can count!) but none of that was enough. I would go on a different interview every week (which was tedious because I literally only had two interview outfits lol) and then it was a waiting game. Flash forward- Final answer: "Sorry, we've gone with a different applicant". After going through this process several times I was incredibly discouraged. I mean, I was smart, I was good at what I did, so why was it never enough? I asked myself this question repeatedly until I started to wonder if I was really in the right career. I mean, if I didn't have a job yet then clearly I was trash. Maybe I chose the wrong path. Maybe I peaked in college and was doomed to live the rest of my miserable life in mediocrity!!!

Lol- it's funny how when things don't work out the way you expect right away you start to doubt and question yourself in a way that almost seems ridiculous. We truly are our worst critics and it can be difficult sometimes to stop yourself from indulging in negative self talk. I mean, if someone said the things to me that I said to myself I'd punch them out before they even finished their sentence...so why do we take it from ourselves? Why do we seem to be so much more impatient with ourselves than we are with others. When I was struggling to get my job, I would constantly see on Facebook all of my friends who clearly did not know the struggle! Were they better than me? Were they working harder? *Gasp* Was it because I was ugly?! No!!
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​It's important to remember that your journey cannot be compared to anyone else's. If you are a recent graduate and you find yourself relating to anything that I'm saying, remember this: you are going to end up exactly where you are supposed to be, exactly when you are supposed to be there. The waiting may be difficult but it will not be forever. Your breakthrough is around the corner if you stay persistent. I wish someone had told that to me last year- I would have probably spent more time enjoying my summer and less time crying. (Me? Crying? No! Who said that?!)  
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​Most importantly, if you go on an interview and it doesn't work out- that just means there's a better opportunity out there for you. Do not carry the rejections with you. Simply learn from each one, improve, and walk into the following one with new confidence. You are only ever going to be as good as you believe you are so be bold and trust your ability. Your time is coming...

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