It’s that time again when we are ready to graduate. Whether it has been from middle school graduation, to high school graduation, preparation is always key, especially in college. Now many of us might feel nervous because this is leading to a next big step in our lives. This can either be graduate school, a career in our choice of study, or maybe even both. That is why it is so important to make sure we have everything taken care of before we walk through that gym for commencement. Here are some steps in order to make sure that everything is checked off for Life After College!

1. Not everyone knows exactly what they want to do after college. That is okay, but that is why it is imperative to get familiar with the Career Center. This office helps you to find part-time work, internships and volunteer opportunities while you are a student, so when you graduate you are in the right path. They also help you to prepare your resume, cover letter, and portfolio for your first full-time job. With the help of the Career Center prepare a new resume. Gather together all of your work history, the skills you have obtained whether on a job or through a class, and compile it into a resume.
2. Also you can work on your cover letter. While you should tailor each cover letter to the job you are applying for, you can get a good basic cover letter written. Then you can add and take away from that cover letter based on a specific job.
3. Gather 3-5 strong references that you can easily give to potential employers when asked. Sometimes having a good reference can mean the difference between getting the job or not. You will need the name, job title, telephone number, and email address of each reference. If you completed an internship, ask your internship supervisor to be a reference. If you’ve worked a part-time job, or volunteered, those supervisors will make solid references. Even an instructor whose class you did particularly well in could make a good reference.
4. Become familiar with the mistakes that first time job seekers often make, and be sure to avoid them.
5. Buy an interview outfit. You must dress professionally for interviews. Even if the job you are applying for is a relaxed one, you want to make a good first impression.
6. Practice interviewing techniques with a career services representative, or someone who is familiar with the types of questions you may be asked at an interview and proper responses.
7. Are you planning to go directly into graduate school, rather than begin work? If so have you applied to the school of your choice? Does the school require that you take the GRE, GMAT or any other graduate level exam? It is best to find out ahead of time because there are deadlines to take the exams in order to have the scores reported to the college of your choice by the application deadline. Visit the testing websites well ahead of your application deadline to find out when you can take your exam.
8. Figure out how much you owe in student loans. Most student loans begin repayment six months after graduation. You want to be prepared to begin making payments when they are due. Never ignore correspondence from your student loan servicer because you could miss important information and payment deadlines. Defaulting on student loans is not a great way to begin the next chapter of your life, so be sure to be informed.
9. Figure out where you are going to live after graduation. Will you be moving back into the home of your parent or guardian? Will you rent your own apartment? How much can you afford to pay for rent and utilities? Do you need to find a roommate? Create a realistic budget. Find a mentor. Mentors can be so very instrumental in assisting you in your post college life.
10. Study, study, study for those final exams. Cross every t and dot every i. Make sure that all balances due are paid to your student accounts office so that there will be no issues with receiving your diploma and transcripts.

 

In addition to Life After College, here are some Graduation Preparation tips!!

1. Make sure you go on the Farmingdale State College homepage and fill out the intent to graduate form.
2. Once you fill out the form, make sure you select the amount of tickets you need. There are a limited number of tickets, so pick what you need and if more is needed there will be an announcement before commencement if there are any extra.
3. Make sure that you get your cap and gown from the book store in the campus center.
4. Check on degree works to make sure all of your credits are in place, and everything shows up correctly.
5. If you want, get your cap and gown photos, and also graduation/college rings!
6. Make sure you have the commencement day marked off on your calendar. It was in December, now the new date is January 23^rd
7. If you are going to, start planning your graduation party!
8. Last but not least, GRADUATE!!!