I want to start off with a disclaimer stating that I have never given a commencement speech nor do I see this happening in my future, but despite this unfortunate truth I want to congratulate all of you for completing college and welcome you to the real world!

Walking away with a college degree is one of the most desired achievements, but you may be grasping your diploma thinking “what’s next?” which no doubt was a question every college graduate was thinking.  And while I may have only been in the workforce for a few years, I have worked for big companies and I have worked are small ones.  I have also been promoted and fired.  I’ve learned a lot, mostly through mistakes (and would prefer you didn’t), and I am still learning.  So before you throw your cap in the air — or at least before you stage an Instagram photo of you throwing your cap in the air — allow me to share some things that might make your transition into adulthood enjoyable.

Your first job is just a starting point.

I’m sure you’ve heard before from your parents or people in their 40s that your life ended the moment that you received your diploma.  Finding a job, moving to a new city, or making new friends doesn’t have to be as difficult as people make it seem.  Sure, you will need to put effort in, but use resources like Indeed, Monster, a newspaper (yes, those still exist), or other virtual job sites.  Keep your searches broad.  Why?  Because your first job doesn’t have to fall into line with your major despite what you may think.  Don’t get discouraged just because you want to be a master chef, but end up being a secretary or restaurant host for your first job.  You will find a lot of people who don’t like their job and don’t like being an adult, do your best to avoid them.  They’ve bought into the cultural lie that a “job is just a job” and that you should only work for the weekend. Nonsense. Your job can be meaningful. Your weekdays can matter.  As Drake said, you are going to start at the bottom.  That’s okay.  Your first job doesn’t have to be your last; it’s a starting point.  You’ve got one foot on the ladder and now you get to climb it.

Your 20s may be lonely.

This may not apply to everyone, but most will find that your 20s will be very lonely.  You may be shaking your head thinking this won’t happen to you, but I will say that despite still living in the same town where most of my friends reside I don’t see them nearly as much as what I would hope for.  Life happens…  People get jobs, move away, get into relationships, have kids—there’s an entire list of things that happen when you leave college.  You’ll find yourself spending many more nights’ binge-watching The Walking Dead or Jessica Jones than anything else.  My suggestion is to stay busy as best you can.  Even if you are just making plans with yourself that evening go find something to do or a club to join.  If you are in Champaign and enjoy sports, go find an adult sport club to play in.  Everplay and the Champaign Park District have plenty of adult leagues.  During the summer is also the best time to get out of your apartment and get downtown to see what events are going on in the evenings or weekends.  And I’m not talking about hitting up the bars just to drink and wallow in your own self-pity; go meet people.  You can make new friends despite what you may think.  And to tell you the truth, every night doesn’t have to be a party.  That is not a bad thing, it’s just reality.

Try to care.

Roughly 93% of your job depends on your ability to do this. You might have been able to tune out in a class of 400 people for an hour but if you try that in a meeting at work, people are going to notice. Don’t text under the table with your phone either.  Because if you don’t think anyone can see you, you’re wrong.  Also, treat your email like it matters.  The other 7% of your job will be managing email.  You have to communicate clearly in your emails and respond to your managers and coworkers quickly.  You need to stay out of stupid passive-aggressive traps, like CCing someone’s superior, as a veiled threat.  Keep old emails as well, you never know when you will need to reference something that was sent months ago.  It helps to organize your inbox, which took me almost a year to figure out was actually helpful.  Lastly, keep in mind that it is important to record things through email.  If you have issues with a customer or coworker, having emails to prove that there has been an issue going on will help you. Do your best to keep track of everything.

Being an adult isn't always fun and games.

Taxes, 401K enrollment, healthcare, apartment contracts… Prepare to suffocate in forms that make the Apple iTunes agreement seem pleasant.  Don’t ignore or put off the paperwork.  If you don’t understand the paperwork don’t be afraid to ask your supervisor, HR manager, or even your parents.  I know when I filled out my first paperwork I went to my dad and had him walk me through the paperwork.  It’s better to learn it early than later in life.  Also, don’t forget about your student loans.  I know you hear this all the time, but it really is the elephant in the room.  I was fortunate enough to not have much, but it was still my first priority right after college to pay the loans off as quickly as possible.  This goes for credit cards as well.  I made the mistake of racking up credit card debt during my college years and have learned immensely from my financial mistakes.  Ignoring that you owe money doesn’t make the bills go away; paying them off does.

Take risks

You don’t have mortgages or kids or other responsibilities yet. Want to go abroad for a year and make a micro-salary teaching English?  Want to start a business specializing in a heritage breed of rabbits for hipsters who are tired of suburban chickens already?  Go for it.  What’s the worst that can happen?  You try it for a year, it fails and now you’re 23.  You’ve got the rest of your life to play it safe.  I'm sure you've heard the phrase "money isn't everything" and it's true.  Like Kristian Bush said, I don't know why everybody wants to die rich.  You can't take it with you when you go, so don't waste your time trying to find a job just based on the money.  It’s perfectly fine to take a job for a few years just to pay the bills and have just enough to get by.  There’s nobility in that.  As your career progresses though, be careful that you don’t chase money at the exclusion of everything else.  You will always want to make just a little bit more, thinking it will make you happy, but it won't.  Live for your weekdays just as much as you live for the weekends.  Otherwise it will end up being a never-ending chase that will hollow you out before you reach retirement.