Graduate student reflects on transition from undergraduate

BY MICHAELA DENNIS / Executive Producer

Former student, Deandria Greenwood, offered her opinion on what graduating students should know

about transitioning out of college.

Greenwood graduated from Tarleton State University in the spring of 2021 with a degree in mathematics.

The first advice she gave is to have a plan on what you will do once you graduate. Greenwood said most

graduate students face the hard reality of not having the fortune of entering the field they spent getting a

degree in.

“This reality usually sends people into a depression because now they have to go back to their hometown

and ‘settle’ for work until they figure out their next steps,” Greenwood said.

She said that this scenario makes people feel like they are not living up to their potential. Especially if

they are forced to rely on support from their families for food or housing.

To combat this, Greenwood recommends seniors to start applying for jobs a semester early to help them

navigate a plan before they enter the semester they are about to graduate. This will relieve stress from

students because they can either secure a job once they graduate or have a narrowed down list.

Greenwood said doing this early will show businesses the applicant is serious and could potentially put

them ahead of other prospects for the job position.

The second advice she gives is to save money while an undergraduate.

“Being a broke college student is a different kind of broke,” Greenwood said.

She mainly relates this to the bills that are due as an independent adult. Greenwood said most of her peers

began to pay bills since they have obtained their degree such as car insurance, health care and student

loans. These bills used to be their families responsibility but are no longer.

Greenwood recommends that once you manage to secure a career with a steady income, to begin to start

paying off student loan debt. The purpose being the percentage owed will increase the more you are

inconstant with paying your debt off.

Greenwood’s last advice is to have fun by going on trips and investing in yourself.

“The most stressful part of your life is over, go have fun,” Greenwood said.

She said she wished she had someone tell her these things when she was a senior because although she

struggled with her transition after college she was fortunate to learn these lessons as soon as possible.