So you’ve moved your tassel from the right side to the left, you’ve sold back as many textbooks as you can, and your dorm room is all packed up and cleaned out (Maybe with some help from Door To Dorm). Now what? You can decide to move back home to your parents house or stay near campus in an apartment with your friends. There is no right or wrong when deciding what to do after you graduate, but here are some tips to help you on your way.

If you haven’t spent the last few summers gaining experience in your field, more and more students are finding their way into an internship after graduation before landing that full time job. This is typically a more realistic option if you are going back home to live rent-free for a while. Getting an internship may not give you a paycheck, but it will give you essential work experience that you will take with you throughout your career. There are plenty of online job sites that post internships in New York City and beyond. Internships.com and Wayup.com are good places to start your search. If you play your cards right, you could turn your internship into a full time job. Employers pay attention to interns who work hard and are passionate about what they do. TheBalance.com gives some helpful hints in securing permanent employment from that golden internship.

Moving back with mom and dad may not be in the cards for you. It can be tough to imagine yourself back at home after a four-year taste of sweet freedom. So, you and your friends may decide to get an apartment or a house share. You know what that means… time to get a job! While it’s always a good idea to look for a job in your field of interest, you will likely need to grab any job just to pay the bills while you work on getting the dream job. Waiting tables or tending bar are typically readily available for a quick paycheck – especially if you are in a creative field like theater or music where the number of applicants outweighs available openings. There is no shame in taking a nannying or retail job while you are seeking your dream job. Being on your own is a huge responsibility so make sure you are covering all your bases. Don’t forget, every work experience is valuable. Networking is crucial; you never know what will pop up!

The best advice is to follow your gut and make your own way. And if neither of those options feel right, consider this: Many graduates decide to take a gap year to travel. It is totally worth it to enjoy a break from your difficult college years. The reality is that all the “typical” post-college options might not be your path, and that’s ok. As long as you moves for the right reasons, your life will shape up the way it’s meant to be.

You learn a lot within the four (or maybe more) years of college. Transition is inevitable, no matter what school you go to or who you choose to socialize with. People say the majority of what you learn in college is outside of the classroom, and they’re not wrong. Here are a few of those lessons that I learned in college.

How to Balance It All

When you start off in college, there are so many new things going on. It can be hard to choose between going to a football game with your friends, or staying in to study. If you decide to join intermural sports or a student organization, balancing that with academic work while still trying to have a life outside the classroom can be pretty hard to manage at times – whether it is spending time with friends, nurturing a creative hobby, or exercising. Learning how to prioritize is one of the most important lessons to take away from college life. It is a skill you will take with you as you enter in to a work environment, and even beyond that.

Hard Work Really Does Pay Off

There is nothing you can’t accomplish with a little hard work. When you set a goal for yourself, you are fully capable of making it happen. It may take sleepless nights, blood, sweat, and probably a few tears, but if you work hard enough you’ll accomplish what you set your sights on during your college tenure. It can sometimes be hard to see past the now of a situation, but shifting your mind to see the full picture is what is going to keep you motivated and your head held high. In the end, you’ll be able to take pride in yourself, not only for reaching your destination, but for the journey it took to get there.

Anything is Possible

There are opportunities around every corner while you’re in college. Whether it’s studying abroad for a semester, or landing an internship in the city of your dreams – anything is possible when you are both determined to make it happen and put a carefully laid out plan in place to move towards your goal. College is the one time in your life where you’re main goal is to learn about the world, about yourself, and figure out what will be important to you as you enter the “adult world.”

Put it Into Perspective

Realize that what is important to you now, as a college student, is not likely to be as important to you as you experience new events in your life. If you think something is must-have-can’t-live-without-not-going-to-change-your-mind, then take a minute to read this great post on Quora about “What is the single insight that most changed your life?”. This type of perspective is important to keep in mind. You’ll need to continue to reassess what’s important to you in life as things like career, family, and children enter the picture.

Spring Break is upon us, which means Summer vacation is coming up quickly! No matter if you’re a freshman or a senior, if you haven’t had an internship yet, there’s no better time than now. Getting a degree is critical, but having experience in your field of study ranks pretty high on the importance scale as well. Internships show future employers that you’ve had real-world experience and also prove that you have put in the effort it takes to seek out, apply and complete an internship. Summer internship can be some of the best experiences of your life, so here are a few tips to assist in your summer internship venture!

Choose a City

There are so many internship opportunities it might be hard to narrow it down! If you’re finding it difficult to sort through options, I suggest choosing a city you would like to live in for a summer. It is a great way to test the waters for some place you’re considering moving to permanently after graduation. Also consider that depending on your area of study, some places might have better opportunities than others. New York is great for finance, advertising, or theater internships. Nashville is where you want to be if you’re thinking about the music industry. Los Angeles is home to numerous internships for film and television. Washington DC is ideal for gaining experience with non-profits or the government. Keep it local, travel to a place you’ve enjoyed before, or try out somewhere new you’ve never been to before but curious to explore. The possibilities really are endless!

Do Your Research

Once you’ve chosen a city, it’s time to do your research. Look at places that have what you’re interested and don’t be afraid to reach out companies that may be a good fit for you. Some companies have internship tabs on their website, while others may not. Regardless, almost everywhere has contact information and it doesn’t hurt to shoot them an email letting them know you’re interested in a summer internship. If you don’t find internships listed on the company’s website, check out Indeed.com. Also, many university’s Career Centers receive solicitations from company’s seeking internships. Making a good connection at your school’s Career Center can go a long way in getting a solid recommendation or first dibs at a new opportunity. If reaching out to a company directly to inquire about internships, send a brief email with your resume. Be more concise in order to be respectful of the HR Manager’s time. And, it is always better to have your resume as a link rather than an attachment. Don’t forget to have your LinkedIn profile filled in completely and highlight skills relevant to the internship you want. This helps build the picture of who you are and how you can contribute to the company you approach.

Don’t be Afraid of Rejection

Sometimes companies really don’t have a spot available, are only looking for particular qualifications, or if it’s with a larger company, can have a lot of applicants. Whatever the reason, if you’re not getting the responses you want, don’t worry! It only takes one yes for you to get that summer internship. So continue to apply know that your yes is right around the corner!

Companies will be impressed by your persistence and dedication. Hard work really does pay off, and that’s something that people will recognize. Once you’ve landed your summer internship, be prepared to treat it like a job and try to soak up as much knowledge as you can. If that means staying a little later, or offering to assist with a new project, putting in the extra effort will benefit you in the long run!

Know How to Write              

I had a teacher once say to my entire freshman class, “Your math skills suck, but your writing skills suck even more.” Yes, he was a cynic but I think he was trying to be humbling. Nonetheless, this statement has always stuck with me reminding me that writing is a process that everyone struggles with. However, writing should not be overwhelmingly difficult. I wish I would have put more time and effort in my essays in high school rather than mindlessly writing something the night before. I cannot tell you the countless hours I spent in college trying to research a subject while simultaneously trying to perfect my use of “who” and “whom” and avoid incomplete comparisons. Save yourself some stress and brush up on your grammar skills and develop a good writing method while you can. Do not wait until it is too late to begin to put effort into essays and I promise you it will make your life easier.

Know People In Your Classes And Be A Good Friend

Everyone likes to have friends, but you should expand your circle and always aim to have a group of people in your class that you can count on. Pick a seat surrounded by a lot of people the first day of class because they always come in handy to study with, complete a project, or *cough* sign you in when attendance counts and give you the assignment *cough*. Extra tip: Be friends with people in your major as a freshman because chances are that they will take similar classes the rest of college so you will always have a study partner and someone who can recommend teachers! Remember to be a good friend too and to be someone that others can count on, because things will happen and good friends will always be a lifesaver when you need them.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Successful people seldom achieved success on their own. Your teachers want you to succeed, and there is an immense amount of resources on a college campus that might stay unbeknown to you if you are too afraid to ask. You are going to wish you would have asked sooner. Don’t be stubborn. Other people have no clue what they are doing either. I always thought the secret to life was figuring it out.

Keep your goals in mind

Always keep your goals in mind and stay prioritized. It is so much easier to keep up with your daily work and daily studying than to try to make up a semester’s worth of lectures and work before finals week. You do not want to begin to nick your GPA early on, so don’t lose track of what is important. Everything will be okay, just work one step at a time.

Are you planning on studying abroad this coming spring semester? This can be one of the most memorable experiences in your college career; however don’t let the stress of moving burden your once in a lifetime experience!

Door To Dorm offers two types of services, which can be perfect for students who decide to study abroad.

Student Storage 

Taking a semester abroad can be fun, but you definitely don’t have to take everything in your dorm room. Door To Dorm offers a storage solution that it cost effective and stress free. Simply select a service package you want and a time when we can pick up your stuff. Plus, we offer FREE boxes and packaging supplies. Once your semester abroad comes closer to an end, we will contact you to set up your delivery back to your university dorm!

Student Shipping

Because travel fees can be costly, it might be easier for you to ship your belongings to your destination. This option is perfect for students studying abroad because it’s easy and convenient. All you have to do is pack your boxes, and then contact our offices via phone or online to arrange a convenient pick up time. Our employees arrive at your dorm room and pick up the boxes. You won’t have to lift a finger!

Door To Dorm caters the specific needs to each college student they work with, which other places can say they do that? For more information contact us today!