Originally Published 4.18.2017

Exams, Clearances, Thesis, Projects, – all the final requirements you need to bear right before graduation. Oh, and don’t forget that tres that you so hardly tried to negotiate with your professor just so you could make the final list of graduating students. ​YOU DESERVE A BREAK. Undeniably, you will feel pressured and apprehensive about the next chapter of your life, but don’t dive into it that deep yet; breathe in some fresh air and take it slow. Here are 6 tips on how to gracefully transition from being a student, to post-grad, and eventually to an employed - hopefully not un-employed - individual ready to take on the world!

1. The Beaches are waiting for you!

Grab your swimsuits and rush guards, Summer has officially started and it’s time to hit the beach! Go with friends, family, yourself, or whoever people in your life that matter; feel the sand on your feet and bask under the sun, swim, surf, and sleep. The point is, try to relax. You deserve the reward of going on vacation without having to think about anything else. No exams to prepare for, no more school work, nothing! You’ll be preparing for and entering a new phase in your life and the best way to start is to have a sound mind. For now, calm yourself with the sound of the sea and the coconut tree leaves brushing against each other – you earned it.

2. Revisit your favorite places

Hitting the books and beating the deadlines for your term papers can be nerve-racking. Let loose a little! Go and grab some coffee or beer, or both, whichever works. Meet with your best bud, family, or friends and go “What a journey it has been…” altogether. Revisit your favorite places and ponder about your journey as a college student, and realize just how fun it was, or how hard it was. What were the things you could’ve done better, things you did well at, things you enjoyed the most, and the moments that somehow brought a little difference from the person you were the time you visited that place a long time ago and the person visiting it now?

3. Try being a nature lover at least once.

If you love long walks and a little sightseeing, go hiking or trekking. It’s a little bit physical, but the moment you reach the top of the mountains or see how the waters cascade magnificently from the falls, all the thousand steps, and the tiresome journey will be all worth it. Give yourself the privilege of peace of mind and use this chance to know who you’ve become after four/five years in college. Assess your skills, your goals, and your passion. Rediscover your strengths and weaknesses. What are your short-term goals? What are your long-term goals? Who do you want to be after certain years? What do you want to be? Try to ask yourself more questions, you’d be surprised about how interested you are to know your own answers.

4. Finally do that one thing you’ve always wanted to do.

During your college days, it’s either you have something to do, or something you need to think about, and that thing has a deadline – and it just steals all the will to finally read that book you’ve always wanted to read, or an album you’ve always wanted to listen to, a movie you’ve been dying to see, something you’ve always wanted to try like writing a book, yoga, exercise, painting, violin lesson, or perhaps, self-study quantum physics, etc. because you figuratively never had the time to do it. It’s about time you do those things. It’s a good time to learn a new skill, get fit, love a new genre, grasp a new concept, or know a new plot line. Keep exploring the things you love and let yourself absorb new information as you slowly branch out from it. You’ll never know what interesting things you’ll find out and what you can do with the learnings you’ll get along the way.

5. Discover your opportunities, and know how to be ready for them

Your primary to tertiary education certainly prepared and equipped you for your future. It’s time to make your momma proud, but before you start sending out some application letters and resumes, make sure that what you’re sending won’t be a basic piece of sheet that people would likely feel obligated to ignore, and that you’re sending them to the right place.

Research! The internet is a massive pool of information that can help you identify potential employers, career paths, and industries you can explore. Also, use the internet to research ​​which items make resumes an eyesore and which makes an eye candy, there will be times when the line between the two will be blurred and it will be up to you to sort them out.

Solicit ideas from friends, parents, and uncles, ideally those with greater experience than you. Ask and research those “How-to-corporate” articles. ​Knowledge about proper grooming and office etiquette can also be handy. Always remember to incorporate your own sense of self into your learnings and how you present yourself – it makes you distinct and gives you color instead of appearing grayscale to your employer.

6. Improve your credentials

All your life you’ve been hearing about the word “Credentials” and you’ve worked hard (Yes you did, claim it) to get where you are right now; A fresh college grad, ready to face the corporate world and join the working unit of our country. Now, you’ve come to the point where your credentials will come into play, and it will be a crucial element.

You will be competing for that position that you will be applying for – take our word for it. And definitely, you’d have to do some finishing touches to improve your credentials and show them that you deserve that position.

There are a lot of ways to improve your credentials, You can practice your work and improve your portfolio, attend seminars, training, and certifications, or you can sign up for online courses. Sure there’s already a handful of training providers out there, but when push comes to shove, getting Lean Six Sigma Certified by no less than The Six Sigma Guy will definitely give you the upper hand once you finally start sending your application letters and attending interviews.

Because “credentials” aren’t just a piece of paper with signature and seals, nor is it just a roster of achievements in your resume, rather, your true credentials are the things that you do with excellence, things that bring positive change to people and organizations, things that help. Your credentials are the stories that you can confidently and comfortably tell your employers because they are authentic experiences of your expertise – and The Six Sigma Guy’s training will definitely be one of those stories that will impress your employers, waiting to be told.

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