In less than three months, I’ll be a college graduate. I’m not planning to get my master’s degree or my doctorate degree. “School” will become a forgotten word in my vocabulary (hopefully). And I’ll officially become an adult.
Some soon-to-be-college-grads whom I know have plans for the future already. They already have jobs lined up, they’ve already met Mr. Right, or they’ve already chosen to further their education. But I don’t have anything set for my life after April. And that scares me.
Fear #1: I’ll hate my job after college.
For the past several months, I’ve had a nagging fear that I’ll despise whatever job I’m able to find after I graduate. Of course, maybe I won’t be able to even find a job. That’s a very real possibility, and it’s super scary. But if I do find a job, what if it’s the worst job that I’ve ever had?
I thought that my job at a fast casual restaurant in high school was the worst job ever, but maybe working at _____ company will be worse. Maybe my boss will be a jerk, my hours will be long, or I’ll be insanely bored (which is a major fear for me).
What if I become the person who lives for 5:00 PM or the person who lives for Friday? (To be honest, I already do as a college student, ahem.) But what about 9:00 AM through 4:59 PM? What about Monday through Thursday? I feel like most adults—even the ones who enjoy their jobs—still get excited when they can clock out and when the weekend arrives.
Fear #2: I won’t be able to find a husband after college.
I completely understand if you have this fear. After all, you’re leaving a huge pool of eligible bachelors to enter an unknown pool. Maybe the unknown pool is filled with mean sharks, or maybe it’s filled with tiny fish. Either way, you won’t know unless you step in.
So don’t be the girl who practically lives in her cubicle because she’s trying to forget that she’s single. Don’t be the girl who only shows up for the 60-minute worship service on Sunday and rushes to her car afterward to escape from people. Don’t be the girl who spends all her evenings and weekends watching romcoms or videos of cats by herself.
Be the girl who gets involved in work activities, church activities, and community activities. The options are endless for where you’ll meet Prince Charming. But you can’t meet him if you’re always hiding in your ivory tower. Only Rapunzel could get away with that.
Fear #3: I won’t have friends anymore.
This may be my biggest fear about adulthood. (Or maybe they all are…?) As a college student, I’m constantly around people—faculty, staff, and students. God has blessed me with several friends during my four years of college, and I’m happy that He has allowed my path to cross with each of theirs.
However, I think college students often believe they’ll be close with all their college friends forever. And as I’ve observed from the college grads in my life, I know that that’s not true. That truth is hard to swallow, but it’s reality.
It’d be awesome if my college friendships continue once I graduate. Of course, some friendships last for just a season—like your high school years, college years, or post-college years. Ask God to provide godly friendships for the post-graduation season of life, whether they’re old friendships or new friendships. Don’t cling so tightly to old friendships that you can’t embrace new friendships.
What I Know
Honestly, I can’t promise you a great job or a great guy or great friends after college. While I do believe that God wants the best for you, I don’t believe that “fun” is the same as “God’s best.” God’s best does include being courageous and trusting His character, no matter what happens after you graduate.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 ESV)
Friends, I know that the “approaching adulthood” season of life is scary. But we’re in this together. And God is with us, too.
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