Few things are more daunting than graduating from college. The pressure to find a “big kid job” mounts to a peak, and it seems as if everyone is expecting immediate success from you. Parents are always checking in to see if you’ve finally landed an opportunity, and friends only add to the stress as they talk about their own blossoming careers. It’s a tough transitional period, so it can be hard to keep the positivity coming—especially in this current job market.

Luckily, there are many ways to cope with the stress of post-grad life. One great way to utilize your post-grad time is to reconnect with old passions. Hobbies can fall by the wayside during college, as it’s hard to make time for leisurely activities while keeping up with the demands of schoolwork. Entering your post-grad years, you may find that you have an abundance of free time you suddenly need to fill, so it’s the perfect time to reignite your interest in the crafts and activities that previously brought you joy. It’s also a great time to explore new hobbies and to do something you’ve always wanted to try but never quite had time to commit to. 

There are many hobbies that are easy to pick up. In this digital era, there’s a tutorial for anything and everything; you just have to get started. Fiber arts, like crocheting and knitting, are easy to learn yourself, as there are thousands of tutorials and patterns online to follow. Other crafts, like drawing and painting, require no instructions—just the materials. You’re doing this for you, so there’s no pressure to pick up the paintbrush and magically craft a masterpiece overnight. With all your newfound free time, you have plenty of time to practice your craft and refine your skills if you wish.

Reading and journaling are both underrated and easily accessible hobbies. At a time where the U.S. is facing a literacy crisis, there’s never been a better moment to pick up a book. There are so many reading communities you can join as well. Consider joining a local book club or connecting to an online community like BookTok; both can help you maintain reading motivation and build connections with those who share your interests. Both reading and journaling can be beneficial for your mental health—especially during the stress of your post-grad transition. Journaling is especially helpful, letting you digest your thoughts and emotions in a safe space, all while reducing stress and anxiety. It’s inexpensive, as all you need is a journal—or even a piece of scrap paper—and a pen. You can even just use the Notes app on your phone to get your thoughts out. That’s the beautiful thing about journaling: there are no rules. 

It’s crucial to keep in touch with your friends during post-grad. It can be difficult, as people tend to disperse after graduating. Friends you used to see every day, you now see once a month, if that. Luckily, it’s never been easier to stay in touch. Friends are one phone call away. Even sending occasional memes via Instagram or TikTok dm’s counts towards communication and maintaining a connection. Post-grad life can feel lonely, so it’s especially important that you stay in contact with people you love. 

Take this time to meet new people as well! If you’re trapped at a minimum-wage job awaiting a position in your career field, make the most of that time by getting to know your coworkers. You never know how well you could connect with your coworkers until you try, and those friendships are crucial during this period of loneliness.

The most important tool to keep in your back pocket during this time, however, is acceptance. Having the ability to appreciate life for what it is and having patience for what is to come are incredibly useful skills in getting through the post-grad transition. What’s meant to find you won’t always find you right away, and that’s okay. As long as you’re putting in good work to get where you want to be in life, then you’re doing great. Learning to adapt can keep you from feeling defeated and hopeless, which can happen easily when it seems like the life you worked for in college is still so far away. There’s no such thing as being “behind,” as life will take you where you should be. Try not to compare yourself to others, and especially avoid scrolling through LinkedIn updates. We all have our own journey in life, and success will find you in due time. 

Staying positive after graduation is not impossible. Life is full of possibilities and opportunities, and remaining mindful of that can help anyone get through this harrowing time. If you’re feeling nervous about graduating from college, remember that you have your entire life ahead of you and plenty of time to figure things out.