Some think the best years of their lives are in college. While that can be true, the same people act like nothing exciting exists beyond the LSU bubble. 

Don’t fear, Tigers — so much awaits you long after your school days. After all, remember how some people were dreading college because they said “the best four years were behind them”?

While high school and college are monumental times filled with highs and lows, they don’t have to be the only fun periods of life. 

I’ve truly enjoyed my time at LSU; however, I’m thrilled for what’s next. When I see my friends and alumni living their best post-grad lives, it excites me for my own. And sure, I’m seeing the highlight reel through Instagram, getting glimpses of their traveling escapades, life in new cities and so on and so forth.  

I’m aware that the not-so-glamorous elements of this infamous “real world” I hear endless stories about might never make it as a post on their Instagram stories, but that doesn’t deter my excitement for post-grad. 

My thoughts on life continuing positively after undergrad are based on my personal experience. I’m grateful that if I don’t have my next steps planned after graduation, I can gladly venture back home and figure out the next steps from there. 

We all know it can be difficult at times to secure a job post-grad, so if you have the option to return to something familiar before starting something new, it’s a good option to consider.  There’s absolutely no shame in living with your parents or starting from point A. I always joke that I want to take another gap year after I graduate. Personally, I love the role of a stay-at-home daughter. Am I even joking at this point? We shall see come May.

There’s plenty of time for me to be on my own in this life. After four years of living hours away from home, I want to hold on to being in close proximity to my family for as long as I can. A remote writing position is ideal. Pilates with my mom, coffee dates with my dad and dinners with both parentals, meeting friends for lunch with my new flexible schedule sounds like a dream to me. 

If our generation has done anything I find admirable, it’s making our own rules, unbothered about what society has to say about any of it. 

I have put in the time, sleepless nights, stressful days, crash outs and an immense amount of energy to school from kindergarten to senior year of college. I could use a little break. I deserve one.

I think as a society, we worry too much about what our counterparts or some influencer is doing with their lives when we should be worried about our own. Comparison is the thief of joy. 

Everyone is on their own timeline. Of course, the path each one of us takes is going to be different from the person to our left and right. We all have different options laid out in front of us. So I understand why most juniors and seniors freak out about our next steps. We either don’t have the option to return home, or we’re embarrassed because it’s the only option. Whatever your situation may be, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. What’s important is that we count it all as joy. 

College has been one big warm-up to real life. 

Ask yourself, what have you been warming up for? If you’re riddled with anxiety about “adulting,” haven’t you been preparing for just that? Whether you live solo or with roommates, you know what it’s like to live alone to some degree, so I know you can do it again. 

It’s the little things we experience during undergrad that prepare us to tackle the world off campus. 

I will take everything I have learned from freshman year to now with me into the future. I’ve never felt more relaxed or prepared for what lies ahead.

These last four years, I have watched God lay his hand on every part of my journey from the acceptance letter, to financial aid and various opportunities that have come my way since setting foot on campus. I know he will do it again. 

That’s another reason why I’m not scared to graduate. I put all my faith in God, not my LinkedIn. 

After getting a taste of what it looks like to work a remote job as a writer this past summer, I realize how gratifying life post-grad will be. 

That’s why I decided, after my midterms were complete, I would take the younger version of myself out for a night of singing the lyrics to the greatest hits by the Jonas Brothers. These are the things I will most definitely continue post-grad.

Alright, I’m off to the concert. Remember, life doesn’t end after undergrad. It’s just the beginning, friends. 

Ava Francis is a 22-year-old journalism major from New Orleans.