The night of graduation, Kanye’s “Good Morning” played over and over in my head:

“Good morning, look at the valedictorian, Scared of the future while I hop in the DeLorean. Scared to face the world, complacent career student.Some people graduate, but we still stupid.”

Graduation, for me, was a bittersweet moment. I realized that stepping into the “real world” meant an alteration in my social life; no more late night hangouts, no more stints at the Bender Library, and a limited interaction with the friends I’d made here. Moreover, it meant that I had to prepare myself to embark on a professional and personal journey. Was I ready to “face the world,” as Kanye put it? Probably not, but I was willing to give it a try.

So, before the class of  2014 embarks on this post-college  journey, remember firstly that everything will be alright, remind yourself that everyday. Take a look at the “Post-College Cheat Sheet” that I’ve come up with (below).I can’t guarantee you that this cheat will be a quick road to success, but it will certainly help along the way.

Life is not meant to be easy, and  if it is you’re probably not challenging yourself.

Write yourself a letter.  ”Seeing your goal written in ink, on paper will have a powerful effect on your mind” – Unknown

Jotting down your goals or expectations of yourself can  be the road map to your successful journey. Whether you decide to write a self-reflection or just a simple letter emphasizing where you envision yourself  in the next week/month or year can be beneficial to your growth.

Value your time. This means that you should be wary of engaging in activities and with people who do not benefit your personal and professional growth. Time well spent with great company  is never wasted. So, yes; be picky with your time and in choosing your friends or new acquaintances.

Learn to forgive! It’s not easy, but it’s definitely worth doing. Learning how to forgive someone is the biggest gift you can give yourself. There is simply no value in holding grudges.

Network Upward, Downward and Sideways. Networking should be done across the board. You really don’t know where your next opportunity will come from. So  keep in mind the following:

– Connect with your peers and attend FREE networking workshops/panels within your industry.

– Keep in contact

–  Study your elevator speech like your life depends on it

– Let your passion speak for itself

– Create a LinkedIn account and familiarize yourself with the tool

Learn to embrace rejection. We often regard rejection as a sign of failure when in actuality it’s the universe way of telling you that ” you’re not ready”  or ” this is not the time.”   So don’t take it personal.

Save/Manage your money. If you haven’t been doing so, NOW is the time to start.There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing that you have some funds with which to support yourself or simply to fall back on.  Teach yourself how to save, schedule an appointment with a financial advisor. More information on financial planning coming soon.

Do things that make you happy!  I love music, museums, concerts and people! I am at my best when I’m surrounded by people who love and understand me.Find what makes You happy.

Stop comparing yourself to others.  Comparison is the thief of joy, just that simple. Focus on what you’re doing, what you have and trust me, you’ll be content.

Be Thankful! You might have a bad day, or the interview you went to didn’t go so well, but guess what you’re still alive and your family and friends still love and support you. Just remember to always keep your eyes on the prize.