Graduate: Broke and clueless

I think earning a bachelor degree is my most significant achievement so far. I can’t think of anything else that beats that at this point. I remember not just the smiles on my parent’s faces but also the pride they wore on their shoulders. It was a gracious day as family and friends gathered for my sake, but it is almost a year now so what next?

I’m completely clueless and uncertain about the future. I can’t even hide the fact that I’m scared. I know the journey has only begun, but I can’t seem to locate my position on the track. Sometimes, grown-ups come around and advise me to calm down and take things slowly. They tell me to take one step at a time, so I do not lose balance.

It is always nice to hear them say those things but how long do I want to believe that if a day takes only 24 hours to pack up. Taking things slowly sounds like a great idea, maybe. But the more you think, the easier it is to lose 48 hours without any significant progress. I don’t know about you, but I like to see the future as one second away from now.

My comfort zone isn’t comfortable anymore. Trust me when I say that there is no single day that I wake up without searching endlessly for opportunities out there for me. I take writing gigs, but it doesn’t pay much. I always dream of the day that I will be able to take up financial responsibilities at home and also spoil my loved ones.

Being in school was indeed the real escape. May have not been for you, but it indeed was for me. There, the pressure wasn’t much. It was just assignments, presentations, notes and exams. I never really bothered about making tons of money, and that was because I was mostly concerned with my grades.

Social media is also there to remind me that I have a long way to go and though motivational speakers warn against social pressure, it’s not always that easy. The fact is, during the 30 seconds you have your eyes on the inspirational post, you feel motivated and inspired. However, the moment your eyes are separated from such post, they get reconciled with the success of others.

I know the journey to success is quite tough and it takes a lot of hard work, resilience, and courage to get there. I also know that there will be lots of stumbling blocks on the road, but it will all be worth it so long we don’t give up. Do away with fear; it is only there to torment you.

I am a graduate, I am broke, and I am clueless, but I am also ready to sketch my plan for my future. I am prepared to fall a thousand times but also ready to stand up ten thousand times.

Dear new graduates, I hope you are ready too.

Let the sketching begin!

By Favour Bernard

Email address: bernard.favour1@gmail.com