101 Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation

Life is different after college graduation! It’s actually what inspired me to start this blog. I wanted to help other 20-somethings that go through the same “adulting” transition.

There’s simply so much to know once you graduate college that they never taught you in college! And the mental shift takes time.

Before you read this next list of 101 things you need to know before college graduation, first know this: What you do in your 20s lays the foundation for the rest of your life.

The decisions you make every day once you graduate college begin forming the habits that either set up your life for success or failure.

I want you to set up your life for success! You deserve a better future. What you do today and tomorrow and the next day might not seem like a big deal, but let me warn you: it is a big deal.

The little baby action steps you take each day are actually what create a successful life. It’s not the major things but it’s the little things that make the difference. Don’t believe me? Read this book.

So it’s time to ask yourself…How will you set up your life for success in your 20s? What action steps will you take today? Start with these.

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Life Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation

1. You need a game plan. What goals do you have? Write them down.
2. Marriage is amazing. Strive for that.
3. Create a solid morning and evening routine from the beginning.
4. Make cleaning a priority. Start forming the right habits now. You’ll thank me later.
5. Be intentional about learning basic life skills right away and the right way! (example: taxes, car maintenance, cooking, home repairs, being a good friend, etc.)
6. Read adulting books. Visit your local library often.
7. Pets teach you responsibility and are loyal companions. Consider one.
8. Do your part and practice self-sufficient living when you can. Start with growing a vegetable garden or joining a community garden.
9. Volunteer in your community.
10. Find the thing that you love and pursue it with passion. It might be starting a blog as I did!
11. Practice hospitality.

Career Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation

12. Spending hours and hours on creating an amazing resume is worth it. Spice up your LinkedIn before the interview.
13. Work for a company that requires your degree. You worked hard for it! Find one by networking.
14. Find an employer that has several growth opportunities for you.
15. You need a side hustle.
16. Know that the first job you have after college will most likely not be your dream job. In fact, it probably shouldn’t be. You are not entitled to your dream job yet. Starting at the bottom is necessary and humbling.
17. Your character in the workplace can determine your career advances more than anything else. Be a person of integrity.
18. Always assume the best in people. Give them the benefit of the doubt.
19. If you are in a toxic situation, do what you can to change it. If it doesn’t change, leave.

Healthy Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation

20. Find a workout buddy and hold each other accountable!
21. Join a pick-up sports league. Find a place where others with the same interests as you hang out.
22. Use essential oils every single day. They change your physical and mental health.
23. Learn how to cook basic meals: meats, pasta, salads, and soups.
24. Hike. Get outside. Schedule this time.
25. Visit a counselor to keep your mind healthy.
26. Take natural birth control.
27. Do the basics. Brush your teeth, shower, drink lots of water, get enough sleep, avoid sugar and exercise.
28. Find out your perfect version of self-care and do it weekly. Mine is alone time with a good book.
29. Limit screen time. Perform a social media detox.

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Money Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation

30. Only buy a home or rent an apartment you can afford.
31. You need a budget. The success of your life really is dependent on how well you can manage your money.
32. Save for retirement, emergency expenses, and your financial goals.
33. Be a generous giver. It is better to give than receive.
34. Re-examine your finances each quarter. Consider your bank accounts, unknown expenses, and where your savings goals are at.
35. Get out of debt ASAP!
36. Stop living with your parents. Save money and work hard at becoming financially independent.
37. Educate yourself.
38. Invest your money in areas of return. Don’t fall for “get rich quick” scams. Money takes hard work. That’s a good thing.
39. Don’t find your value in what your own. Your value is in who you are in Christ.
40. Buy used. Avoid the latest and greatest.

Family Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation

41. Your relationships with your parents and siblings are important. Set a strong foundation now. It only takes a call or a text here or there to start.
42. Friendship is vital to your mental health. Be a good friend.
43. Spend time with your grandparents. They are extremely wise and can be a mentor to you.
44. Learn from others’ mistakes and don’t make the same ones.
45. During the holidays, be as present as you can. Show you deeply care.
46. Take pictures. Life moves fast.
47. Dating is not just fun. It has a purpose. Consider your end goal. Only date others with the same core beliefs as you.
48. Get married and start a family. Both are a blessing, not a burden.
49. Weekend trips to see family are easy and create amazing memories.
50. Stay connected with your college friends! They are basically family.

Social Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation

51. Participate in Alumni events at your college.
52. Return back to your hometown and let everyone know how you are doing.
53. Join a community of like-minded people! Music, art, sports – whatever it is you enjoy.
54. Find a mentor in your life. Someone older and wiser with the character and knowledge of where you want to be in the future.
55. There’s more to life than parties and bars. Don’t get stuck in a cycle.
56. Become friends with your neighbors. Be someone they can trust.
57. Send handwritten letters to friends far away.
58. Make real-life connections with your co-workers.
59. Pick up a new hobby.
60. Connect with others on social media. Then find a way to meet up in person!
61. Be authentic. No one likes a fake friend.

Spiritual Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation

62. Focus on slowly increasing the quality of your character. Become more patient, loving, and kind.
63. Make God the focus of your life. You can only feel truly fulfilled and satisfied when your trust is in Him.
64. Join a church and be active in it. Join a small group.
65. Read the Bible.
66. Pray and meditate.
67. Read commentaries and listen to podcasts on Scripture.
68. Learn church history and geography.
69. Get to know others. Ask questions and invite them over!
70. Connect with others that will help you grow closer to God.

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Intellectual Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation

71. Be a lifelong learner.
72. Listen to Ted Talks and podcasts.
73. Don’t believe everything on the internet. Read books more.
74. Start your own business.
75. Understand the stock market.
76. Read the news every single day from multiple sources.
77. Be an informed citizen. Attend town hall meetings. Know who your politicians are and be an active voice in the decisions they are making.
78. Consider going back to school. Always pursue more. Don’t remain stagnant.
79. Tutor on the side. Expert in something? There are people willing to pay to learn from you.
80. Don’t let anything become an idol in your life. Idols consume everything else. Regularly examine your heart and mind to make sure each area of your life is in its proper place.

Other Things You Need To Know Before College Graduation

81. Insurance is necessary. Understand each type, learn about it, and pay for it!
82. Do your taxes on time…aka by April 15.
83. If you feel like you are going through a quarter-life crisis, get help.
84. Making friends as an adult is different and harder. Be intentional.
85. Adulting skills take time. Take each step one at a time.
86. Take a personality test. It helps.
87. Find natural solutions to your health problems. Don’t try to mask the problems with medication.
88. Flings only end in hurt. Find a relationship built on similarities and trust. Date with purpose and intention.
89. Moving doesn’t have to be hard, stressful, or expensive. Find ways to be creative.
90. Living a frugal life is one of the best decisions you can make.
91. Make your faith a priority!
92. Don’t compare your life to others.
93. Do fun things! Here is a list of 30 Things To Do Before 30 Years Old. Adulting is only boring if you make it that way.
94. Organize and minimize your things. Don’t save any college notes unless they are needed for grad school!
95. Journal regularly. This line-a-day journal has been perfect for me.
96. Keep some college habits, like backing up your phone.
97. Ask for forgiveness when you wrong someone.
98. Don’t waste your time. Invest in a planner to keep you on track.
99. Travel around the world!
100. Buy an adulting product to help you!
101. And don’t forget the books you need to set up your life for success!

Let me know in the comments below what advice was most helpful to you! I can’t wait to connect with you!

The Ultimate Guide To #Adulting

Because #ADULTING.

Do you feel in the dark? I know I did after I graduated college! Here's everything you need to know to start your SUCCESSFUL adult life!

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Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma

Hey there, I'm Kelsey! I'm so glad you are here. I'm a 20-something helping you live your most fulfilling life. I hope you'll join me in this old-fashioned & simple lifestyle!

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