8 Things No One Tells You After College Graduation

8 Things No One Tells You After College Graduation  - What I have learned after one year as a young professional

Why does no one talk about this enormous shift from irresponsibility to adulthood??? I thought I would shed some light on one of the biggest transition periods that SO many inevitably goes through. 

For those long four years, everyone has one that one goal, to graduate and get a job. what now..?

1. Wait for the Job That is Right for You-  if you have the means to. I heard so many times in college, "your first job doesn't matter" that is a complete lie. I have SO many friends that took "just a job" instead of THE job. A couple months later they were crying and trying to quit. If you are able to wait for the job in the better place, with a better salary, that you get a better vibe about, do it, go with your gut. You will save yourself so much heartache in the long run. 

2. Be prepared to be in different tax brackets from your friends. This is something that had never even occurred to me prior to graduation. I still have friends, in undergrad, in grad school, bartending or interning. It's not quite the same dynamic when just a few months prior, there was only one tax bracket, broke college kid.

3. Lots of FOMO.  Your friends with their newfound job money will be out traveling and treating themselves, your friends back in school will be out partying. I found it hard to balance what worked right for me, and what made me happy post-grad. 

4. Google the compound interest on your student loans sooner rather than later. :(

5. Furniture is more expensive than you think. Think twice about throwing out the college couch right away.

6. The 2pm workday crash eventually will go away. After months of almost falling asleep after lunch, the body finally adjusts, hallelujah. It takes a while to adjust to any new normal.

7.  Get excited for the after-work happy hour, but prepared for many dinners alone. Happy hour is an essential component of the young professional work week, but 5 days a week? unfortunately, unlikely.

8. You'll miss things you didn't think you would miss. Studying? Yes, it actually might sound more appealing than the mid-year review you have to attend with your boss.  That shitty college apartment? Yes, because it was probably less expensive than your post-grad one. 

Finding your new normal after college can be challenging, stressful, lonely and fun. You are definitely not alone. Good luck to us all!

3 Days in Santorini - Where to Stay!!

DAY ONE - Beach Day and Four Wheelers!

Santorini Hostel - Markakis Studios in Fira - STAY HERE. This hostel was nicer than a lot of hotels I have stayed in, United States or otherwise. 20 euro per person per night. (3-night stay). The girl at the desk held our luggage and could not have been more helpful, she gave us maps, tips and made our dinner reservation.  Link here or on hostelworld.com / https://www.markakis-studios.gr/

Rent four wheelers - all over the island and inexpensive for the day - best way to get to several beaches and Oia if you choose. The bus also works just fine but if you want freedom and a faster ride, go with the four wheelers. 40 euro for the day, but meant for two people.

DAY TWO- Boat Ride to Volcano, Hot Springs and Thirassia!

Volcano first. This day was amazing and educational, wear running shoes to hike and flip-flops for the springs! From the volcano you can see all of the Island, easily pointing out Oia and Fira. I recommend following the tour guide if you can, they will give you the best information and the best places to take pictures.

Next hot springs!! - do not wear a bathing suit you care too much about, it will be stained in the hot spring, but it is worth it. One of the best experiences of my life, swimming in water bluer than you have ever seen.

Thirassia- a small island for lunch, not too much to see and do but great food places to eat lunch with a gorgeous view and relax.

Back to Fira... you can either take a cable car or a donkey both for six euro. The cable car is almost too quick but gives you different views of the island and all it has to offer.

Going out- Go out in Fira! Wander around and every corner will turn into a bar!

DAY THREE- Hike and Sunset in Oia

3-mile hike from Fira to Oia was one of the best experiences of my life. Being outside in the sun, talking to other travelers and getting just a little lost. Free and amazing, you won't regret it.

After hiking, we shopped in Oia for a while and took the bus back to eat lunch and get ready for the night. We came back early to eat dinner with a view and watch the sunset. Try and be there early because trust me, there will be a lot more people than you might think. Once you find your spot, sit back and enjoy. Try the corn on the cob located at street corners-- amazing!

The flight times back to Athens tend to be odd so be aware and book accordingly. I had a midnight flight back so decided to book the hotel until the next morning which was definitely worth it. Fira to the airport takes ten minutes if that and you really do not need to be there very early. Smallest airport I have ever seen, honestly poorly ran and sanitized - my least favorite aspect of the night. 

So how much did it really cost?

Chicago-Philadelphia-Budapest- Vienna-Athens-Santorini-Athens-Philadelphia-Chicago 

Ten Day American Airlines Flight- 760$ (However, my two friends booked in December and got a round-trip ticket for 555$, insane.) Know what you want, and book early. 

Ryan Air Flights- $230. Short flights within Europe with a helpful staff, just make sure to pack light, and if you're not that type of person, add a checked bag when you book! I took a standard hard shell carry on and it flew for free with me ( I paid extra for priority, around 7 euro which was unnecessary but nice.) However, if I had to of opened the extra zipper to enlarge it... 40 euro each way. 

Airbnb Budapest- 10 euro per night per person (3-night stay). Budapest is an amazing city and you cannot go wrong staying anywhere in the city center. 

Vienna- Round trip bus ticket from Budapest to Vienna- 20 US Dollars.

Athens Hostel- Students & Travelers Inn. Perfect Location. About 20 euro per person per night. This is the perfect hostel to be close to good food, good shopping, the ancient ruins and a good nightlife. The rooms themselves are very small and beds are uncomfortable but I would not change my stay. (3-night stay)

Santorini Hostel - Markakis Studios in Fira - STAY HERE. This hostel was nicer than a lot of hotels I have stayed in, United States or otherwise. Again, 20 euro per person per night. (3 night stay)

Grand Total: 150 Euro which today equals 173 Dollars. 

Notable Extras!

• Budapest- 
• Hop on Hop off Tour - I recommend because Budapest has a lot to see and everything is quite spread out. 20-25 Euro.
• Athens
• Acropolis is ten euro with a student ID and twenty euro without.
• Airport to city center- 10 euro each way by subway, 6 euro each way by bus, 3 with student ID
• Santorini
• Boat ride to the volcano, hot springs, lunch in Thirisa about 25 Euro.  
• Cable Car to the boat ride, 6 euro each way (ripoff) you may also choose to walk or ride a donkey up.
• ATV Rental- a must to explore the island and beaches, 40 euro per ATV, split equals 20 a person plus a bit of gas money per day. 

Always remember to account for public transit, specifically from the airport. Taking a taxi 9 times out of 10 cost more, Europe is lacking in the Uber department. 

And of course...food. 

Europe is filled with great food and cheap coffee. A cappuccino and a cheese pie in Greece for breakfast does not have to cost more than four euro. You will see shops for a takeaway gyro under five euro. If you are sitting down a gyro will cost you around 8, a greek salad 6,7. 

Everyone is different, but saving on food and transportation can seriously cut down your costs. 

How I Afforded to go on a European Vacation After College Graduation

Going backpacking through Europe after college was something I had always wanted to do. I think this stems from Rory Gilmore and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants paired with being an immigrant's daughter. I got the travel bug at a very young age, starting to travel internationally before I could walk or talk. After studying abroad in Italy two summers prior to graduation I had every intention of going, until life and lack of money got in the way. I identify with the typical broke college kid.

I started looking in December for flights in May, and prices were very reasonable. The fact that I had no job and no clue where I would be in the country put a halt to my dreams and plans until finally I said fuck it and made it happen.

How I Afforded to go on a European vacation after undergrad:

1. eBay
eBay always sketched me out not going to lie. But again with everything on the internet, it takes two seconds to make an account, so I did. After six days I sold my prom dress for 90 percent of what I paid for it.  Another big seller for me, jeans. If you have heard of Poshmark do not waste your time, because I have. I sold three pairs of worn American Eagle jeans for just under 15 dollars each. 45 bucks just got me a three-night stay in Santorini - thank you eBay. Other things I have had luck selling are Pandora Charms and name brand items.

2. JoyRun (Similar to UberEats)
JoyRun is an app similar to Uber eats concentrated on college campuses. People order food and someone simply picks it up, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Qdoba. There is NO application, you can make money the second you download the app. I have and had thought about Ubering for a long time but as a smaller woman it creeped me out. Delivering food to people?  Next best thing. If I was bored between classes or anytime at all, I would make a trip to Taco Bell and deliver to three or four people. Sometimes I would drive less than a mile and make ten dollars. Over the course of a couple months doing this casually I made just over 700 dollars. From referring friends alone (give 5$, get 5$) I was able to eat out with my friends for next to free.

3. Interviews
While interviews can suck, fortunately, they can be profitable. Find the right companies in specific fields and you will be comped for your gas and mileage. I was going on about 2 longer drive interviews a month for several months. The rate in Michigan is .56 cents for mileage. Drive 120 miles or roughly two hours on the freeway, make 67.2 dollars, and another 67 back totally 134 dollars. Gas is barely a third of the cost. It became more profitable for me to take an interview and to take OFF work. Good practice for the future and I was making more than I would at my minimum wage job

4. American Airlines
If all else fails and you are diligent about paying your bills on time. American Airlines has a 6 month no interest credit card. I have this type of Credit Card with Best Buy - bought my laptop on the credit card (no interest for 12 months) and pay monthly. I make sure to pay more than enough so I will incur no interest after the promotional period is over with.

5. Ebates
This year I really got into Ebates - the online plugin that gives you cash back for shopping. It takes probably two seconds to sign up and if you ever book flights/hotels on sites like expedia.com or travelosity.com, Ebates gives up to ten percent back on bookings. Booking spring break for the squad? Get ten percent of that money back just in time for graduation. 2000x.10=200$. 

6.Working
Of course, my good old part-time job as a Barista helped facilitate my European vacation.

Intro

yup·pie

ˈyəpē/

young urban professional - yuppie - a person with a well-paid job and a fashionable lifestyle.

Technically, I am not a yuppie just yet. In 12 short days, I join the workforce and leave college behind. I have filled this transition period with traveling, house hunting, tears, and laughs.