Now that you’re finally out of school and experiencing life first hand, you’re probably caught in that whirlwind of pursuing what you want to do, but have no idea where to start. This can apply to  both high school and college graduates. The possibilities seem endless to the point where you feel like you're going to drown in them. But worry no longer, here are five ways to stay productive after high school graduation.

Take some time off from school to work and figure out what you want to do with your life, whether it's going to college full time, traveling, or just working to make some money. Living as an adult is challenging. It’s important that you take the time you need to prepare.

Don't get discouraged or upset if your plan  doesn’t work out the way you wanted it to. In life, there are going to be plenty of mistakes and mishaps that   throw wrenches in our plans. The important thing is to know that a setback doesn’t have to mean failure. As long as you pick yourself up, try again, and redouble your efforts, there's no shame in making a few mistakes along the way.

Make sure your expectations for the future are realistic. In life, we all have grand ideas and plans that we want to see happen. But having expectations and plans are only half the battle. The other half is making sure those plans and expectations are realistic enough to  set in motion. For example, if you plan to go to college part time and work in a supermarket on your off days, then it falls on you to make sure these expectations are doable. Take it from someone who’s been there- the last thing you want to do is be overworked and overwhelmed to  the point of ripping your hair out.

Be willing to socialize and build connections. We’ve all heard the saying, ‘it's not what you know, but who you know’. Well, post grad life after high school is a perfect time to put that saying to the test by  marketing yourself to the right people and showing them what makes you a perfect job candidate. In due time, the connections you build will allow you to open doors you might have thought were out of reach.

Make sure your physical, mental, and emotional health are in tip-top shape. While it may seem like a trivial matter, health in all forms really is wealth. After a certain point in life, it’s your responsibility to look out for yourself  and make sure that your mind and body are not only on the same wavelength, but also able to carry you through rough patches in your personal and work life. Eating a healthy diet, starting a hobby, or even pursuing a sport can all improve your mental and physical health. A healthy body and mind will leave you well prepared to handle life’s ups and downs.

No one ever said that life post grad was going to be easy. But that's no reason to get swept up by the tide or admit defeat and throw in the towel. If you have something that you truly want to do with your life, then it's worth pursuing, so long as you put in the work.  If you keep yourself focused and productive, there's no limit to what you can accomplish!