Sixty days before graduation can feel less like a celebration countdown and more like a countdown to the rest of your life. Some students are already announcing job offers on LinkedIn, while others are left wondering if they’ve already fallen behind. Between applications, family expectations, and financial anxiety, it is incredibly easy to feel overwhelmed. Many students are still figuring out how to prepare for graduation while everything seems to be happening at once. To find some clarity, GU spoke with career and lifestyle creator Jade Walters, the founder of The Ninth Semester, about how students can navigate grad season with intention instead of panic.
Walters begins by reassuring those who feel like they are trailing their peers. She believes much of this anxiety is fueled by the comparison trap and the pressure to have everything figured out before the cap and gown even arrive. Starting the hunt early is helpful, but she emphasizes that the primary goal should be easing the pressure on yourself rather than racing against a classmate’s timeline.
“If you care now, you’re not behind,” Walters tells GU. “Starting the hunt before graduation eases pressure. Don’t compare yourself to peers with different resources and advantages. Factors like early internships or special programs change trajectories. You’re on your own timeline. Give yourself grace.”
When it comes to the actual job hunt, Walters notices a common mistake where students spin their wheels by mass-applying to any role that matches their major. This “spray and pray” method often leads to burnout and a feeling of being inundated before the first interview is even scheduled. She suggests that the final two months should be about narrowing your focus rather than widening it, ensuring that you are moving toward a role that actually fits your needs.
This wish list should also include an honest look at what kind of environment you thrive in. Walters notes that there is no single “right” path for a new graduate. Whether you choose a stable corporate route for the playbook or a high-growth startup for the ownership, the decision should be based on your personal goals and whether you want to build something on the side. There’s nothing wrong with choosing the safe route if it helps you reach a bigger priority later on.
“I see students thinking, ‘I majored in marketing, so let me just apply to every entry-level marketing role.’ That’s how you become inundated and find yourself mass applying. For some people, you might want stability and a playbook that corporate route where there’s a system in place. For others, you might want rapid growth and ownership, which could mean going the startup route,” says Walters.
While the market can feel daunting, entry-level roles haven’t always kept pace with the number of applicants. Walters suggests a balanced approach to the final semester to ensure you don’t look back on these weeks and only remember the stress. This balance allows you to maintain your professional momentum without sacrificing the once in a lifetime memories that come with senior year.
“Spend 50% enjoying and finishing strong, 25% applying, 25% networking,” Walters suggests. “You don’t want to reflect back on this time and only remember how stressed you were. Enjoy your friends. Make memories. But also use your student status as permission to take things easy before life gets crazy.”
That student status is a fleeting resource that Walters says you should maximize before the email address expires. This includes taking advantage of technical tools and platforms that offer deep discounts to those with an active campus affiliation. She also stresses that your digital footprint on campus is something you need to pack up and take with you before the system locks you out, specifically your portfolio pieces and major projects.
Beyond the creative work, the financial transition is one of the biggest hurdles for new grads. Walters recommends being proactive about debt and the actual cost of living in a new city. Understanding the difference between a “survival” budget and a “comfort” budget can prevent the shock that often comes with the first few months of independent living. This includes thinking about roommates, moving costs, and deposits long before the move-in date.
“Know when repayment starts, understand your interest rates, and explore money-saving repayment programs,” says Walters. “If you’re moving to a new city, think about all of that and if you know you’re an expensive person, start budgeting honestly. Figure out how much money you need to live comfortably, not just survive.”
Even with the rise of AI tools, Walters believes that the human element is what ultimately secures the job. While technology can be a massive help for interview prep and reframing resumes, relying on it too heavily can make an applicant blend into the background. In a flooded market, your specific voice and perspective are your strongest assets. Recruiters are looking for the real applicant behind the generated text.
Ultimately, feeling lost after graduation is a natural response to facing adult life without a playbook after twelve years of structured schooling. Walters notes that despite what you see on social media, most people are navigating their own learning curve. She encourages graduates to embrace this as a rediscovery period where they can explore their own hobbies and identity outside of the classroom.
“Social media makes it look like everyone has it together, but you’d be surprised how many people are still figuring it out,” Walters says. “This is a rediscovery period. Explore who you are, your hobbies, and embrace that journey. First jobs aren’t forever, they’re foundations, not dream destinations. Ask yourself, ‘What can I learn here? What transferable skills can I take with me?’ Don’t see it as a failure or a misstep see it as something that’s going to propel you forward.”