Does Life Become Less Stressful and Fun After College?
Is life less stressful and more fun after graduating from college? The answer is a nuanced one: it can be, but it depends on various factors.
Stress in the Early Career Years
The process of finding a job immediately after college can be highly stressful. Loading...
Factors Influencing Post-Graduation Stress
The stress post-college is real, and it comes from different aspects of life. Finding employment, living situation, choosing a life mate, and managing responsibilities can be both enjoyable and stressful. Having a mortgage might be stressful, but it can also be a source of satisfaction when you finally own your own home. Keeping a job to support yourself and others can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it often brings a sense of accomplishment.
Rising and Falling Stresses
While the stresses can be significant, they typically come and go. They peak during important decisions, such as buying a house or changing careers, or when your job is threatened. However, on most days, life can be enjoyable and full of opportunities.
Seamless Transition to the First Job
The stress of starting a job and earning your first real income might be intense initially, but it tends to decrease as you find your rhythm. Buying your first house is a higher level of stress compared to renting, but once you settle in, it becomes a source of pride and security.
Adult Responsibilities and Budgeting
Managing adult issues, like budgeting, can be stressful. However, handling these responsibilities can be both challenging and rewarding. Early adulthood comes with many choices and options, which can be overwhelming, but also incredibly fun. Making those choices is yours to control, and avoiding unnecessary debt can keep life more enjoyable.
Personal Stories and Lessons Learned
Personal stories can provide insights into how life differs after college. For instance, staying away from unnecessary debt can significantly impact your level of stress. In the early days of our journey, we followed a rule that we wouldn't use a credit card unless it had unclaimed money in the account. Any expense over $50 required mutual agreement in advance. We also pooled our resources and worked together to buy a house before marriage. Our only debt was the house, and we drove old cars, grew our own food, cooked our meals, and kept our expenses low.
Resilience in Adversity
Life will always have its ups and downs, and sometimes the stakes can be very high. However, it can be less stressful than the academic pressures of college, such as midterms, finals, and trying to pay for the next quarter. The goal should be to survive, thrive, and eventually retire early while enjoying life.
A Personal Perspective
Life stress can vary greatly depending on the individual and their coping skills. It also depends on their experiences and the events that occur in their lives. If college was easy and you change fields, it can be harder. Conversely, if you work in the same field, it might not be as stressful. If you get fired and it's not your fault, it can be particularly challenging.
My Experiences and Changes
My life was much more stressful after college because college was easy for me. I had clear goals and knew what to do, but changing to IT development without a degree in that field made me fail multiple times. This experience showed me that failure is a part of life, but it can be stressful when it becomes frequent.
Life is about adapting and finding a balance between stress and fun. Whether college makes life less stressful or more depends on how individuals cope with the challenges they face. The key is to manage stress through financial discipline, healthy habits, and a positive mindset.