Because we’re nearing the end of the semester, for some of you, this may be your last semester and typically, that means you’re graduating. You may be excited to say goodbye to this chapter in your life or a more bittersweet feeling might be welling up inside of you; you might even feel like you’re not ready to say goodbye yet. If you are not sure what’s going to happen after you graduate, that’s fine. It’s perfectly okay to feel lost.

Society makes it seem like you have to get a full time job RIGHT AFTER you graduate. While this might happen for some, it may not be the case for others, and that’s all right. A little time  to start your career after you graduate is completely normal. It can take weeks, months and sometimes a couple of years. What’s most important is to keep going. Keep looking. Keep trying. Use your resources and keep applying. The right job will come along, you just have to keep at it.

If you have no idea what to do or you’re not sure if you want a career in the field you graduated in, there’s nothing wrong with that either. Post-graduation is the perfect time to get to discover what you do and don’t like. Ask yourself some questions: Do you like being on your feet? Do you like working with computers? Do you like sitting in a cubicle all day? Do you like constantly being around people? This is the best time to get to know yourself and your interests.

Move in with your family until you’re mentally and financially ready. Most people will try to convince you that you have to have your own place after you graduate. This isn’t true. You can move home, save some money, and use that time to find a job or to gain experience. Sometimes, moving home may be the best option. Your family will be your support system and can help hone your decision-making skills. After all, who’d make for a better support system than your family?

Use this time to network with others. Create a LinkedIn account and add classmates, previous professors, and so forth. It’s always good to maintain open communications and keep your metaphorical door open, because you never know when you’ll need a recommendation. Attend open conferences, workshops, informational sessions and career fairs. You never know who you’re going to meet and the more knowledge you receive, the more you’ll know about yourself.

Finally, remember that not everything goes as planned. You probably told yourself that you’d have a full time job and your own place by 23. A slight delay in your aims is no cause for alarm. You don’t have to have an exact plan nor do you have to follow your original timeline. As long as you are moving towards your goals and persevere, everything will eventually fall into place.