Dear Graduate (Or Soon-To-Be One),
Take a deep breath.
Can you feel it?
That buzz in the air, the almost surreal excitement of being on the edge of something… big? Welcome to the in-between—the magical, mildly terrifying liminal space between “I did it!” and “Now what?”
It’s an exciting and nerve-wracking time, like finishing the final episode of your favorite series and realizing the next season hasn’t even been filmed yet. You’re holding a mix of emotions—accomplishment, anticipation, a dash of panic, and maybe even the sudden urge to Google “what to do after graduation” at 2 a.m.
So, if I (your older, slightly wiser future self) could hop in a time machine and sit beside you on the floor of your almost-empty college apartment, sipping something caffeinated, I’d say this:
Dear Younger Me,
Coming to you from the future has its perks—like hindsight and the occasional stable Wi-Fi connection. I can’t spoil the ending (multiverse rules, sorry), but I can tell you what ends up mattering.
Let’s start here: you’re on the edge of something new. But before we go forward, let’s stay here for just a minute longer.
Part One: Savor the Sunset
You’re graduating. That’s HUGE. Years of lectures, late-night study marathons, group projects (some more painful than others), self-discovery, and pushing through the “new” over and over again. You’ve earned this moment.
Let yourself feel proud—like really proud. Even if you didn’t graduate summa cum anything. Even if you’re not sure what comes next. You did the thing.
So don’t just rush into “what now.” Pause. Celebrate. Take photos (yes, even the cheesy ones in the cap and gown). Throw a party, or at least grab milkshakes with your people. Sit quietly by a pool or lake or open field and let yourself breathe it all in.
Capture it. Journal it. Screenshot it in your memory.
Because this is the golden hour—the beautiful, glowing end of one chapter. And while sunset may signal nightfall, it also whispers that dawn is coming.
Part Two: The Dawn of What’s Next
Here’s where things get real.
You might feel like you’re supposed to have a 10-year plan by now. Spoiler alert: most people don’t. And the ones who say they do usually revise it somewhere between a quarter-life crisis and their third cup of coffee.
So, let’s reframe this next chapter.
Think of it as the dawn of a brand new day. And like every morning, you don’t have to do everything all at once. You wake up, stretch, figure out if you’re a smoothie or coffee person today, and then start.
You don’t need to have it all figured out by Tuesday. You just need to start showing up—curious, hopeful, and open to learning.
A Little Wizard Wisdom
Remember how Harry Potter always had his wand, his memories, and his scar? He wasn’t starting from scratch each time he faced a new challenge. Neither are you.
You’ve got tools: your strengths, your experiences, your weird but wonderful sense of humor, and yes, even those nights you doubted yourself and still pushed through.
You are more prepared than you realize.
Part Three: The Notebook Trick (Trust Me on This One)
You’re going to want some kind of map, I know. So here’s a trick: go analog.
Buy a small, sturdy notebook. A5 size. Solid cover. Fancy pen optional but recommended. Personally, we lean dot grid these days, but lined works too. Avoid spiral binding—it snags on everything.
This notebook? It’s where you dream without judgment.
Start writing:
- What am I curious about?
- What excites me?
- What kind of lifestyle do I want?
- What could I do now that might lead to something cool later?
List options. Rate them. Note your gut reactions. Sketch out paths like a flowchart, even if it looks messy. You’re not solving your life here—you’re just giving Future You some thoughtful starting points.
Some Life Guidelines From Your Future Self:
- A fulfilling life is built, not found. You won’t trip over it one morning like loose change under the couch. You’ll shape it, piece by piece.
- Other people’s opinions are not blueprints. Some are helpful; many are noise. Learn to tell the difference between stories, facts, and perspectives.
- Money matters—but so does joy. Careers aren’t one-size-fits-all. Explore what success means to you (yes, you’re allowed to make your own definition).
- Don’t dismiss what makes you happy just because it’s unconventional. There are more ways than ever to build a life and make a living—some of them didn’t even exist five years ago.
- What’s next isn’t forever. Decisions aren’t tattoos. (And even tattoos can be covered or lasered off. Don’t ask me how I know.)
- Get comfy with not knowing. That feeling? It’s not failure—it’s possibility. Your future self will thank you for leaving space to grow.
Ask Questions. The Better, the Braver.
You won’t have all the answers. So don’t worry about being the one with the answers. Be the one with great questions.
Ask yourself:
- What does success feel like to me?
- Whose life inspires me—and why?
- What problems would I love to help solve?
Talk to people you trust. Read stories of paths that don’t look like straight lines. Because—newsflash—most people’s lives zigzag, take detours, and circle back before they bloom.
That’s normal. That’s growth.
Expect Plot Twists
Life won’t always be sunshine and organic smoothies. There’ll be messy days, job rejections, heartbreaks, and existential spirals while listening to sad indie playlists. You’ll question yourself and your path.
Let yourself question. Then answer.
Decide who you want to become next. Not forever—just next. Choose optimism. Choose curiosity. Choose again when you need to.
You’ve got this.
How do I know?
Because I am you. Just with a little more mileage, a few more stories, and the same unshakeable belief that we figure things out as we go.
Final Scene
Graduation is not just a finish line—it’s the dramatic first act of the movie that is you.
There will be romance and comedy. Action and plot twists. Moments that feel scripted and others that are wonderfully improvised.
And guess what? You’re not a background character. You’re the lead. You always were.
So go ahead. Step into the spotlight. Chart new territory. Dance awkwardly through the transitions.
The world is waiting.
I love you. Let yourself love you. And let the world be a brighter place because of you.
Sincerely,
Your Future Self
P.S. The sunrise is already here. Let’s make something amazing out of it. 🌅
