How to Manage Time Now That You’re Out of College

College is an exceptional experience. You broaden your mind and learn new things every day — while also meeting a plethora of new and interesting people. Then, of course, there are the things that come with that: the hangouts, the late-night study jams, the dawning realization that you’ve ordered pizza so many times that the staff at the local delivery place start to get concerned when they don’t hear from you for a week. These are things you’ll miss as you venture out into the real world — even the stress, in its own, weird way — but there’s one thing you might miss even more. You might just catch yourself missing having a sense of routine. Some of you will be lucky enough to land a job in your field right out the gate. But most will have a greater challenge with it — and that’s completely okay. It is a difficult, highly-competitive, and constantly shifting job market out there, and it may take time for you to find the right fit for you. But — and this is incredibly important — you have to make sure you make good use of your time along the way, or else it will slip away from you before you even know it. Here’s how.

Stick to a Routine

Like we said earlier, you may find yourself missing the sense of routine that you had while you were in school — so the most important thing you could do now that you’ve graduated is cultivate a new one. And no, going to the same bar every evening doesn’t count as a routine, nor does cramming in a solid 10 hours daily of Brooklyn Nine-Nine on your parents’ Netflix account (more on this later). While it’s nice to get to finally sleep in after you’re done with college, the novelty wears off after about a week. If you’re not immediately working, build yourself a routine: get up at a regular time each morning, and engage in meaningful tasks each day. This might include job-hunting or building a professional portfolio, but it can also include more mundane tasks like buying groceries, doing laundry, and getting regular exercise.

Get a Job — Even If It’s Not a Big One

There’s a joke that having a degree is a great qualification to work at Starbucks. And you know what? That's actually not the worst thing imaginable. Working in service and retail jobs is not shameful, and many graduates do this while they keep their eyes peeled for something bigger. Bills and student loans still have to be paid whether your field — or one similar enough for you to be qualified — is hiring right now or not. So pick up shifts where you can, but never stop hustling, never stop looking for new opportunities, and always keep polishing your resume and cover letter for when that next big opportunity comes along — you never know when it could be the one.

Explore the Freelance Economy

This one’s tricky, because not every field of study lends itself to freelance work. But some — communications or graphic design, for example — do, and you should take advantage of this. Simply download a timesheet template to start keeping track. You may be wondering though; is it incredibly difficult to sustain yourself on freelance alone? Absolutely. But it can be a great way to keep your skills sharp, build your portfolio, and strengthen your CV while also making a little extra cash on top of the day job. Remember, just because you’re not employed full-time in your field, doesn’t mean you can’t advance.

Strive for Independence

One of the best uses of your time, post-college, is taking steps to becoming truly independent. Everyone’s college experience is different, and came with different amounts of assistance from their family, but on the other side, it’s important to stand on your own, even if you do have to live with the family for a period of time. Managing your own expenses, starting your own accounts (goodbye, mom and dad’s Netflix password), paying your own bills, and building up your own credit are all very valuable assets — and so is learning new skills that will help you in life. Maybe the fact that you couldn’t cook anything without a microwave was charming in college, but it won’t get you very far now. Devote your time and energy into learning how to be self-sufficient, and you will be amazed at what you find.