Graduation time is always nostalgic for me since it reminds me so much of what I loved about this time of year when I was in college.

The inspirational commencement speeches, celebratory cake and endless posing for pictures in my cap and gown with my diploma in hand. But barely anyone talks about the harsh realities of what happens after the celebration. When the speeches are over, the cake is eaten and the pictures are posted up in the living room, what happens next?

Many people go through the numbing feeling of discontent and confusion about their life purpose after graduation (aka the quarter-life crisis) that they don't understand how to even make "it."

From my personal experience and through coaching millennials in the transition from school to the "real world," I've learned that there are three major keys on how to conquer life after grad (and it's not as complicated as you may think!).

1. BREATHe IN, BREATHe OUT:

It may be self-explanatory, but many people who graduate go into an immediate stage of 'panic' when things aren't going right. When they've applied for 100,000 jobs, try to balance life without any restrictions, all while trying to figure out life itself, breathing is out of the question! So the first step has to be breathing. Breathing will help you focus on relaxation techniques that will help you reduce any anxious thoughts of things simply not going right.

2. GOTTA HAVE FAITH:

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). I've learned from my own experience that faith is something that is critical for recent grads because the transition period is tough, and when you don't have faith as your foundation, you'll have a hard time envisioning your life outside of your current circumstance. When you remain steadfast on the truth that your life is going to change for the better and that your challenges are just a storm that you can (and will) weather, you'll be able to enjoy this period in your life!

3. BUILD WORTHY RELATIONSHIPS:

Not everyone you spent time with during school (and even outside of school) will be the friends or relationships you'll keep, and that's okay. Although you may think there's strength in numbers, in this period of time, less may be more, especially when you consider the quality of the people you have around you, rather than the quantity. Take time to build more relationships that will help you level up (and vice versa) by going to networking events or groups that have like-minded people around you!

So enjoy this point in your life. You have more authority than you can even imagine, and you'd be surprised with what life has in store for you.

Congratulations and welcome to the real world. We need you.

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Lauraopoku