Congratulations, Graduate! You are officially entering the real world. Are you ready for this next chapter? Are you bursting with excitement? Or overwhelmed by the common “What’s next?” question? That question has likely been the bane of your existence at every family function for the past few years, and now everyone is looking for a real answer. What will yours be? Whether your next step is relocating for a job, attending grad school or moving back home from your college town, you’ll want to make the process as smooth as possible. Keep reading for tips on moving after graduation and how to maneuver this next phase of your life.
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Assess your finances.
Before you make a big move, it’s important to have a good understanding of your financial situation. While moving after graduation can be an exciting event, inadequate funds can make the process more stressful. As a recent graduate, your cash flow may be limited. A tight budget does not have to be a hindrance when it comes to moving, but you will be better equipped to come up with a budget friendly plan for moving if you have a solid understanding of your finances. If you have a job lined up that you will be relocating for, you may have an even better picture of your upcoming financial standing. No matter your circumstances, ask yourself some questions, such as: How much money do I have now? When do I anticipate making more? How will I finance my move? If you have multiple forms of debt, can you consolidate into one loan to make finance management easier? Answering such questions will allow you to set a cost-conscious plan in motion.
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Determine what your next step is.
In addition to assessing your finances, you also need to figure out what your next step is in life. Are you planning to find a job in a location other than your hometown or college town? Will you be attending grad school in a new location? Does it make the most sense to move back home for some time? Do you have other plans? Moving after graduation doesn’t have to be scary, it just needs to be well planned out.
There is no right or wrong answer about what you should be doing next. What you decide to do is entirely dependent upon your circumstances. However, it’s important to at least have an idea of what’s next. It may be tempting to fly by the seat of your pants, but the thrill of such a course has the potential to be only temporarily satisfying. In the long run, you want to avoid having major regrets about the big choices you make in life. Your plan does not have to be rigid; It’s wise to have a backup. This will allow you to maintain your cool and adjust quickly when things don’t go as expected.
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Come up with a timeline.
It’s no secret that moving takes planning. In order to ensure a smooth process, it’s a good idea to come up with a timeline including deadlines for each component of the plan. First and foremost you need to find a place to live. Following the advice above will help you narrow down a location. You can take as long as you want when it comes to this step, but you should consider the time of year that you prefer to move. Most people don’t want to move in snow, rain or cold. Typically students graduate in the spring, which is the perfect time to move.
Next comes securing shelter. Unless you’re moving back home, you’ll need to find a house or apartment. The deadline for this will be heavily influenced by any impending start dates, such as for grad school or work. Once you find your new living space, you can come up with a plan for how to get you and all of your belongings to the final destination. Take into consideration how long that process will take and who you want to assist you as you try to determine a deadline.
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Make arrangements with a moving company.
There are so many moving companies to choose from. How do you choose the best one? All moving companies are not equal. It goes without saying that cost and services are important things to consider when selecting a moving service. However, you also want to familiarize yourself with other traits of a reputable moving company. Doing so will help you anticipate acceptable answers to the questions you’ll want to ask. Narrow down your options based on how adequately your questions are answered. After all, your money and time are heavily involved.
Once you’ve done your due diligence when it comes to completing the three steps above, researching companies, and finally selecting one, you can schedule your appointment. You’ll feel much better on moving day knowing that you did everything you could to make the process stress-free.
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Enjoy this new phase of your life!
This is an exciting new chapter in your life. Enjoy it to the fullest! You’ve accomplished something monumental by graduating college. Now, it’s time to take on true adulthood in the real world. You may be experiencing a range of emotions, including uncertainty, excitement, and anxiety. It’s all normal.
Whether you are moving after graduation for a new job, for grad school, back home, or somewhere else, make the most of it. Once you get past all the boring stuff, like unpacking and cleaning, take some time to really settle into your new space. Catch up with your neighbors, make new friends, reconnect with old ones, explore, and embrace what post-grad life has to offer.
So, are you ready to confidently answer the infamous question: What’s next? No doubt, you will be soon enough. No matter where post-graduate life takes you, we want to help make your move easier. Follow the tips above and you’ll be well on your way to a wonderful postgraduate experience!