Leah McCann Smith | Writer & Editor

I’ll begin by sharing this simple fact: The jump from college to post-grad, “real world,” life is not what you think.

On May 12th, 2013 I graduated from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication, with a focus in Strategic Communication (advertising + public relations) – that’s a mouthful, huh?

 On May 13th, I felt a mix of happiness, relief, insecurity and freedom.

Happiness: The happiness factor in graduating seems like a given, right? “You finally did it! Congratulations! Here’s $50 to show you how proud we are!”

Getting those graduation cards is awesome, don’t get me wrong…and graduating from college is first and foremost something that makes you happy. Knowing you made it through the numerous all-nighters before midterms and exams, worked up on excessive amounts of caffeine and sugar so you can memorize the 10 principles of economics that you might not even be tested on, though it’s on the study guide so as a good student, you make sure to quiz yourself time and time again to show that you’ve prepared for this exam. The fact that you graduated from college won’t hit you until a certain point in your recent post-grad life when you actually have time to sit down to think about the fact that you’ve graduated college and that next year, you don’t have school to fall back on and return to. It’s a pretty alternate experience.

Relief: “No more midterms, no more final exams!”…at least for a while if grad school is in your near future. Otherwise…YES. No more midterms…no more final exams!

Graduating from college provides a sense of relief that you’ve accomplished something substantial. That you are among a group of graduates who had the persistence and drive to get through. Whatever your intention post-grad, graduating from college provides a sense of relief that in the end, even through all the challenges, you accomplished something substantial…graduating from a nationally-recognized, academically respected institution – and that makes you pretty awesome. Graduating from Carolina will provide you with a network of supporters around the world, whether you realize it now or not. My best advice to you, no matter where you are in your pre, current or post-collegiate life: build a professional network of contacts related to your career interest. It’s never too early! So far, being a Carolina alum has been my biggest asset in the post-grad hunt for that next chapter in my life. It’s an ace in the deck of 52 cards and when the opportunity arises, use it. What I’ve found is that generally, people want to help people. Add Carolina people into that equation and multiply that statement by 1,000.

Freedom: If you’re in a situation like me where my parents have agreed to pay the rent in Chapel Hill throughout the rest of the summer, graduating from college provides the most sweet and intimidating freedom I’ve ever felt in my life. Freedom from classes, freedom from a daily class/internship/extracurricular schedule and freedom from any obligations that you may or may not carry with you past graduation. Freedom of being able to go to the beach for a week…just because. Freedom to sleep past 8am because you don’t have to be at your internship at 9am. Freedom of deciding when and where you choose to spend that daily 3 hours in a coffee shop looking for that post-grad opportunity by the end of summer. Graduating from college makes you feel free. And awesome. “So keep reading, kids!”

Insecurity: “Wait…is it seriously already June? Oh, I’ve still got 2 months until my lease and parent’s financial support ends. But wait, you said the typical job-search path takes three months? Oh no…I really need to figure out where I’m going to be come August 1st.”

^ I can’t tell you how many times this thought has run through my head. Except, the later is gets, the more insecure it can make you feel. Being a post-graduate is tricky: depending on your financial situation, your timeline for job-searching or whether you plan to go back to graduate school – the insecurity levels vary. But yes, graduating from college is new, just like any other adjustment, and in turn makes one feel a bit insecure. The best advice I can give you here is to embrace it. Enjoy the freedom you have now and take everything for what it’s worth – never for granted. This is an important but sweet time in your life where you will make some big decisions. Trust that you’ve gone to a fantastic university that has prepared you to grow and make those decisions with confidence. Embrace the unknown.

That’s dismal, so I turn the situation around by remembering the secure and certain things in my life as a post-graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and an amazing professional school (School of Journalism) that has given me the skills I need to succeed. When in doubt, I return to these facts and know that I have a good head on my shoulders to succeed, thanks to the fantastic education I’ve received from a university that values bridging the gap between academics and the “real world.”

I’m so ready for this new adventure.

Whatever this new life calls for, bring it on. Opportunity, I’m so excited to meet you. See you soon.