Top Ten Tips for a Happy Life after Graduation

As the New Year unfolds, many twenty-somethings are preparing for life after graduation this spring. This transition can feel overwhelming, with the final weeks of college often feeling bittersweet.

In fact, for many, it feels like life as they know it is ending at 22, with life after graduation signaling the start of something unknown.

However, the current TikTok trend, where users share how their lives didn’t stop at 17 and pair their reflections with Phoebe Bridgers’ "I Know the End" or "Scott Street," made me realize that life after graduation is just the beginning.

It’s a powerful reminder that life after graduation doesn’t halt with the toss of a cap — it's a new chapter filled with endless possibilities and growth.

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Graduating is a big deal, but it's not the end-it’s a new beginning! So, below is a guidebook with tips to make the post-grad journey a breeze. Let’s dive into the top ten tips for a happy life after graduation!

1. Tip for Life after Graduation: 

Bumble for Friends

Life after graduation often comes with the challenge of making new friends, especially for those who move to a new city or work remotely.

Gone are the days of living on a college campus where friends were just a few minutes away. Life after graduation can feel isolating when you're trying to build a social circle in a new environment.

However, Bumble for Friends is a fantastic way to meet people and start building those connections. There’s no shame in using an app to find friends—if people can meet future partners online, why not make friends that way too?

In fact, TikTok star Alix Earle recently shared how she uses Bumble for Friends to meet new people, attending workout classes together and grabbing coffee afterward.

This is a fun, low-stakes way to explore your new city, get a workout in, and make meaningful connections in life after graduation. Whether you’re looking for fitness buddies or coffee companions, Bumble for Friends is a great tool to help you build a supportive social network as you navigate life after graduation.

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2. Tip for Life after Graduation: 

Fitness Related Community Apps

The new rage in working out across the country has been fitness related community apps.

These apps are a great way to explore your city and see what local gyms have to offer without committing to one membership.

You can also gain access to hundreds of classes every day and find the classes that best fit in your busy schedule.

One popular app is GymPass, where you can get access to pay-as-you-go workout classes to discover gyms around your area.

The app Strava is also a great way to meet new people. Strava allows users to set up clubs, if that be for running, cycling, or even clubs preparing for triathlons.

This is a great way to find athletes that run or cycle at the same time as you in your neighborhood! 

A favorite fitness related community app is ClassPass.

ClassPass is a great way to explore the city you live in and meet new people with similar hobbies that are good for your body and soul!

Class pass is a way to afford to go to the classes without committing to a membership. In fact, the Classpass credits roll over each month, so it's pretty low pressure.

They are offering a free week of classes so check it out!

3. Tip for Life after Graduation

Learn a new hobby

Life after graduation brings the perfect opportunity to establish a new routine, especially with the 9-5 schedule that gives you more free time.

Now that you're out of the hectic college lifestyle, life after graduation offers a chance to focus on personal growth and pick up new hobbies. Many people realize they want to learn how to cook—like really cook—and not just rely on frozen meals or quick fixes like air frying Trader Joe’s options for the rest of their lives.

Life after graduation is all about setting aside time to achieve your personal goals, and developing a new hobby can be an exciting way to enrich your life.

Whether it’s cooking, painting, or something else entirely, adopting a new hobby helps you grow and keeps the spirit of curiosity alive. Embrace this phase of life after graduation as an opportunity to learn something new, adding fulfillment and excitement to your everyday routine.

4. Tip for Life after Graduation

Join a club

Another TikTok trend you may have been seeing on your For You Page is that “you are either going crazy, getting married, or training for a (half) marathon” in your early twenties.

You could join a running club on Strava or sign up for the Brewery Running Series! This company is active across 20 states in the country and has local breweries sponsor 5k’s where participants get a free beer at the end!

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However, if running is not your jam, try to join a club in your city that aligns with your interests!

5. Tip for Life after Graduation

Continuous learning

Life after graduation can feel like something is missing, especially if you’ve always had a passion for learning and personal growth. In life after graduation, it’s important to find ways to keep learning and evolving.

For those of us in marketing, staying up-to-date on industry trends is key to continued success. You can make life after graduation even more rewarding by reading books and articles that dive into the latest marketing developments.

Another great way to keep learning in life after graduation is by listening to podcasts in your field. Podcasts like Sky Society offer valuable insights from professionals in marketing, providing an easy way to stay informed while continuing your education.

Whether it’s through books, articles, or podcasts, embracing continuous learning in life after graduation can help you stay ahead in your career and personal growth.

6. Tip for Life after Graduation

Start a side hustle

Did you know that 40% of Generation Z has a side hustle outside of their job that makes them money?!

Side hustles are a great way to achieve financial freedom and keep that creative job that may not be making you as much money as you’d like.

Some popular side hustles you could pick up are monetizing your pinterest, posting on TikTok, opening a depop thrift store, etsy store, and more!

This side hustle could ideally align with your interests and hobbies, making you money along the way.

Read more.

7. Tip for Life after Graduation: 

Keep in touch with those you love

While you are focusing on building your new life and finding new friends with life after graduation, it is still important to keep in touch with those you love.

Although you may be living in separate cities from your college friends, it is important to maintain these connections. You may be focused on building your future, but make sure to reach out to past friends. 

Set a goal for yourself to reach out to at least one friend directly every day. It can be simple, such as sending a funny TikTok to your friend, just make sure you keep in touch with those you love.

Maintaining these relationships will serve you for the rest of your life.

8. Tip for Life after Graduation

Explore!

Make sure that you explore the world while you still have little obligations in your life after graduation. Travel, travel, travel and gain new experiences outside of what you know.

Many times people regret waiting to travel until they are much older, take advantage of your youth and see the world while you can. 

Exploring can also be applied to work as well. Try to explore and see what you like to do within your job and what roles you like to take on.

Take on new projects and challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone, as you will grow in the end.

Overall, just try new things, try new jobs, move to a new city, and see what you like in life!

9. Tip for Life after Graduation

Limit comparing yourself to others

Make sure you never compare yourself to others. Everyone is on their own timeline, has their own roles, and different goals.

Some people will move home, some will travel, some will continue on with graduate school, but make sure to never compare separate paths. Also, remember time and time again that social media fake!!

10. Tip for Life after Graduation

Stay calm, it takes time

Life after graduation can feel overwhelming, but the best approach is to stay calm and embrace the journey. Life after graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, and it’s important to understand that you will likely work for a significant portion of your life.

Success may not come overnight, but trust that everything will fall into place as you continue on your path.

In life after graduation, you are the one who defines your own success and happiness. Remember, you're building a new foundation, and it takes time to settle into your new environment.

Life after graduation is about adapting, learning, and growing, so be patient with yourself as you navigate this exciting phase. With time and perseverance, you’ll create the life you want and find your own version of success.

✍️ Written by Eva Svenningsen