I Graduated—and Panicked: 5 Life Lessons I Wish I Knew Sooner

The year is 2003, and here I am sitting in a sea of anxious new graduates about to walk across a stage to collect my undergraduate degree. Somewhere in the audience sits my new husband with our new baby, surrounded by the rest of my family, many of whom traveled from near and far to celebrate this special day.

Underneath my gown, I am sweating bullets—and it’s not because I was too hot. I’m feeling exactly like Eminem said in that one song: "palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy." I’m nervous, but on the surface, I look calm and ready. As I scan the crowd trying to spot my family’s smiling faces, all I can think is, "Faaackkkkk, school is over and I really have to adult now."

You know those moments when you're internally screaming, but you just smile and nod as if everything is okay? That was me. That was 2003.

I wish I could tell you I walked off that graduation stage with my life all figured out. Or even that I had it figured out six months later. But the truth is—some days, I’m still figuring it out.

What I can share with you are five crucial lessons I learned from that season of life that still serve me well today.

1. You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out

Truth be told, most people don’t. We’re all figuring it out as we go. What matters more is learning to take life one day at a time. Forget about what society says you should know and focus instead on what works for you. This is not an excuse to be lazy—it’s permission to give yourself grace. Because life? Life is messy.

2. Set Goals Consistently

Even if you don’t have all the answers, having goals gives you direction. Make sure they’re SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. Vague goals make it harder to stay focused. The clearer you are, the easier it is to track your progress and stay motivated.

Need help setting SMART goals? Check out my downloadable SMART Goals worksheet here.

3. Start Small

Small steps every day lead to big results over time. Break your goals into manageable pieces. Then break those pieces into daily tasks. For example, one day you might research your top three career options. Another day, you might spend an hour focused on job searching.

Don’t overcomplicate things. Life does enough of that already.

4. Mindset Is Everything

Your mind is your most powerful tool. You can use it to limit yourself, or to do extraordinary things. What you tell yourself matters. Train your brain to be resilient, to look for possibilities instead of pitfalls.

That’s why affirmations work! According to mindset theory, individuals with a growth mindset are more likely to persevere and adapt, rather than give up. They see challenges as temporary hurdles—not as proof they’re inadequate.

*Want to learn more? Check out this video by Struthless on How Self Belief can Make or Break You.

5. Do What You Have to Do Until You Get to What You Want to Do

Sometimes you have to take jobs you don’t like or work in environments that don’t inspire you. Do it anyway. Learn what you can. Build your skillset. Collect experiences and transferable skills. Keep your eyes on your long-term goals.

This is temporary. You’re on your way to what you really want to do. Just don’t lose sight of your "why."

I’ve come a long way since that day 22 years ago. And yes, there are still moments when I revert to that nervous girl in the cap and gown, quietly screaming inside. But I like to think I’ve evolved into a more grounded version of myself—one who understands that the best way to navigate life is to return to these core lessons, again and again. If you're newly graduated or still trying to find your path, know this—you're not behind. You're just getting started.

What about you? What are some of the lessons you've learned on your journey so far?

Drop them in the comments or tag me on social media using #Prescriptions4Success.

Let’s learn from each other as we grow.