OK, you just graduated from college, now what? Some people say one thing, and others say another. More often than not, each of these arguments echoes a point The Clash rose long ago: should you stay or should you go? If you are trying to decide whether or not it would be beneficial to travel after graduation, I am here to answer with an emphatic and resounding “yes.”
Most people who argue against traveling immediately after graduation are basing their arguments on sound conservatism, and are likely coming from a good place in terms of your personal well-being. However, their argument is missing something crucial: namely, the fact that you have the rest of your life ahead of you. Now is the perfect time to travel before you settle down in front of a heaping plate of responsibilities. In case you need more justification, here are a few more reasons as to why you should travel after graduation.
You’ve been in School the Past Four Years
You have literally just spent the last four years in one place. It’s time to take a load off and go somewhere tropical for a couple weeks. As the saying goes, treat yourself. This applies no matter where you graduated from, whether it was Chicago State University or USC Online. You have been working hard and deserve some rest and relaxation!
You Adult Life Is Just Beginning
As a recent college graduate, your life is devoid of many of the daily responsibilities that most adults have to deal with (don’t worry, you’ll get there). While this may seem a bit scary, it’s a bit of a blessing in disguise. Impending responsibilities imply a small gap filled with leisure time, and what better way to spend that leisure time on vacation in Panama, or maybe St. Thomas?
Your Best Days Are Still Ahead Of You
Odds are you have heard this one before, but that doesn’t make it any less true. You are young; you can still make mistakes and get away with it. Hypothetically, even if you end up traveling and getting into a bit of a financial debacle, you still have the time to make up for it. To that point, you can avoid many unfortunate circumstances by planning your vacation well in advance.
Traveling Experience Will Help You Transition Into Adulthood
Most adults are accustomed to navigating life without the help of their parents or the immediate involvement of their friends. They are used to being thrown into unfamiliar situations and situating their lives in relation to a schedule that they ultimately have no control over. Traveling will give you experience with all these things and so much more.