從學生族到社會人：大學畢業後要做的7件事大綱

I'm now a little more than two years out of college. When I graduated, I was new to town, living alone in a small apartment and about to start grad school. Today, I'm a grad school dropout, living with my boyfriend in a slightly larger apartment, and on my second job.
我現在已經大學畢業兩年多了。我剛畢業時，對這個城市很陌生，獨自住在一間小公寓內，準備開始讀研。如今我放棄了讀研，和男朋友一起住在一個稍大點兒的公寓，從事我的第二份工作。

Let's just say that life after college should have a subtitle—trial by fire, I'd call it—and that you learn a lot. These seven tips will help you keep it all in perspective.
我覺得大學畢業後的生活應該還有一個副標題——我想稱之爲“壓力考驗”，你會從中學到很多。以下的7條建議會幫助你正確地判斷各種事情的重要性。

1. Keep in touch with your friends.
與朋友保持聯絡。

The people you spent four or so years with? They're the best friends you'll ever have—trust me on this. Send cards for birthdays, set up Skype dates, and travel to see one another. It's hard making friends without the wonderful, semi-artificial environment of college, and having a support network is one of the most important things when you're stepping out on your own.
與你共度大學四年時光的人是你所擁有的最好的朋友，這一點你得相信我。我們可以互相寄送生日卡片，約好時間用網絡電話溝通交流，旅行去看望彼此。離開了大學那種令人愉快的半人工環境，我們不容易交上朋友，而擁有社會支持網絡是你獨自邁出校園時最重要的事情之一。

2. But make an effort to meet new people.
努力結識新朋友。

Most of us recent grads don't live in the same cities as our friends. Go to networking events, go to meetings. (I met one of my friends when we were leaving a Junior League interest meeting, even though neither of us ended up joining.) Become accustomed to carrying on real conversation with new acquaintances—it'll help you both socially and professionally.
大多數像我們這樣剛畢業的大學生，不與朋友居住在同一座城市。那就去參加社交活動，去聚會吧。（我跟一個朋友是在離開少年聯盟興趣交流會上認識的，儘管我們最終都沒有加入那個聯盟。）習慣於與新結識的人進行有效的談話，會在社交領域和專業領域對你有所幫助。

3. Don't let weddings get to you.
不要讓婚禮影響你的情緒。

It's tough. Weddings bring up a lot of questions about our own love lives; whether you're single and looking, in a relationship and waiting for the proposal, or just disgruntled over weddings, there's no avoiding weddings or marriage. Get used to it now, because soon you'll be attending a lot of these gatherings. Be happy for your friends, and either learn to be content with your own situation or do something about it!
這個問題很難辦。婚禮會給我們自己的戀愛生活帶來很多問題；不論你是單身仍在尋覓，還是正在戀愛等待求婚，或者正因婚禮的事兒而有所不滿，我們總避免不了婚禮或是談婚論嫁這個話題。適應它吧，因爲不久你就會參加許許多多這樣的場合。爲你的朋友而高興吧，要麼學會滿足於自己的現狀，要麼就爲了結婚做點什麼吧！4. Learn how to manage your finances.
學會管理財務。

If you're clueless about basic budgets, start educating yourself. The one thing missing from most college educations is personal finance, but this is the probably the single most important thing you need to survive.
如果你對基本的預算一無所知，那麼開始自我學習吧。大多數大學教育所遺漏的一點就是個人財務知識，但這大概也是你爲了生存所需的最重要的東西。

5. Buy a real wardrobe.
購買正牌行頭。

If you've played your cards right and allocated money in your budget just for shopping, start saving for classic, timeless items. One $300 wool coat in a neutral color with good stitching and construction might give you some sticker shock, but it's a far more savvy purchase than five $60 cheaply-made coats of synthetic materials.
如果你一直處理得當，並在預算中只留出購物的錢，那麼你要開始存錢買些經典、不過時的衣服了。或許你在看到一件售價300美元、色彩素淨、款式剪裁精緻的羊毛大衣時有點震驚，但是這比購買5件售價60美元、用合成材料製成的廉價外套要理性得多。

6. Find something else to do with your time.
花時間找點其他的事情做。

Work may give you the resources you need to clothe and feed yourself, but let's face it—it's unlikely to fulfill you in every way. What should you do instead? Join an organization or a young professionals club, volunteer your time, or find a pet project that sparks your creativity. When you have outside interests, you'll achieve a better balance.
工作可以給你所需的財力滿足自己的衣食，但是讓我們正視這個問題——工作不可能在每個方面都能滿足你。那麼你應該做些什麼呢？加入某個組織或是某個聚集了年輕才俊的俱樂部吧，自願貢獻自己的時間，或者尋找一個寵物活動來激發你的創造力。當你有了工作之外的愛好時，你就會更好地平衡自己的生活。

7. Follow your gut.
跟着感覺走。

Does a boss seem crazy? Does that guy make you question his intentions? If a decision doesn't feel like the right one, deep down, then it probably isn't. Follow your instinct and let it guide you. It'll help you in the future.
老闆是不是看起來很瘋狂？那個人是不是讓你質疑他的意圖？如果某個決定讓人感覺不是那麼正確，實際上它大概就是不對的。跟隨自己的直覺，讓它來指引你。這會在將來對你有所幫助。