Leaving college can be tricky for many students, as they take jobs in the "real world" far away from the comforts and security of campus life.
Oftentimes, the best advice comes from those who have already been through this shift. In response to a recent thread asking "College graduates of Reddit, how did you make the transition from college to the 'real world'?," reddit users offered tips on personal finance, health, and the workplace.
Here are some of the best tips we found:
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"The best thing to do is gain a routine - don't waste your time. I go to the gym 3 times a week and it helps me stay on course and was the first stepping stone in getting my life organized." - Mardini
Don't worry if you don't land your dream job.
"Even if it's not your dream job, get one. Nothing scares employers quite like a gap in work history." - Loughla
Take advantage of the resources around you.
"Aside from the social/living aspect of moving to a new city, you should not forget how many resources will be available in your office; when you're starting your new job, there is no shame in asking your HR person for some help in finding an internet connection, tax forms, health insurance, or anything else. They're there to help, and they'll know a lot of what you need to know when moving to a new city." - mexicono
Be careful with your money.
"You've been living on $10k/ year for 4 years. Continue to do this, pay off your debt ASAP save a stack and continue to save. Do not live beyond your means, or you will quickly become dependent on your job." - teaching-man
Become a local.
"The most important thing for me was to make it as normal as possible while still living it up. I wanted to know how to get from my apartment to the grocery store without GPS, but I also wanted to go exploring and eat at restaurants that I'd never seen or heard of before. It's also important to know where doctor's offices, pharmacies, Targets/Wal Marts and gas stations are located in reference to where you live." - I_just_want_salsa
Make healthy choices.
"The only thing I slightly increased spending on is better quality food, because I can afford it and it's good for you." - QuestionAxer
Make sure you're active.
"Exercise feels amazing after sitting at a desk all day." - EMJ0913
"When you move to a new city, take every opportunity to explore it. Go downtown, go to the parks, go to the museums, go to the bars. Learn how the city is laid out, and learn how to get around." - fooliam
Take your job seriously.
"The principal rules I've found are be good, show up on time, be nice. Pick two and you'll do fine most places." - TWmanyparagraphs
Realize you're not at college anymore.
"One important thing I did not anticipate is that my free time is now precious. In college I had so much time to work out, cook, do laundry, read, bike, etc. I didn't realize that doing laundry would be something I would ever have to plan out. Now, I see that I was extremely lucky and that the rest of the world operates on a much higher frequency." - TSLAGUY