Staying Connected
Congratulations, class of 2019! The world is officially your oyster (I swear).
It’s summertime and all of you are probably somewhere on the spectrum between I need to figure out what to do to did I pick the right thing to do? Nothing feels certain, the reality of adult life has begun to hit you in the face, and you miss simpler times.
But if you’re like me, by this point you’ll have migrated away from that strange, contradictory mindset of senior week where you feel both incredibly ready to leave Kenyon and tragically sad that you must leave. Hopefully, you’ve shifted towards accepting the uncomfortable reality that while you may miss it every day, you know that you wouldn’t want to do another year if it was magically offered. This is normal.
I was asked to share some thoughts and advice not because I’ve been exceptionally successful in my first year out, or particularly well adjusted to life off the hill (neither are the case), but rather because I was lucky enough to be elected by some plurality of my classmates to serve on Alumni Council. I’ve probably been back to visit campus more times than your average recent graduate, and I’ve been thrust into the community of Kenyon alumni volunteers. With that said, if you’ve made it this far, I hope you’ll read on for what I have to share.
Here’s my advice for dealing with the first year out:
Find some Kenyon people. The best way to get your fix of Kenyon after graduation is to find some other former students or members of the volunteer community wherever you are. Of course the most practical reason to do this is to find a job or advance your career or some such thing. But I have found a small bit of comfort attending meetings and events with my local regional association because it helps to be able to talk about your time at Kenyon with people who get it. Of course it’s always better when you can reminisce with a group of your own college friends, but chatting with older alumni is better than you might think.
Keep yourself in the loop. I read the Collegian online every week, follow updates on the college’s website and class letter mailings, and chat with friends on campus fairly regularly. It’s certainly nice to hear about the happenings and comforting to know that Kenyon is still going strong. But it’s also good to keep abreast of changes so that if something drastic happens — be it good or bad — you’re able to comment as not only an alum, but as an informed alum.
Give something back. I recommend this not necessarily because you owe anything or because you should feel a duty to help future students, though those are two very noble reasons to give back. Instead, I encourage you to give to Kenyon because it keeps you connected to the college and part of the greater Kenyon community, even if by just a sliver.
To be clear, giving to Kenyon does not necessarily mean going online and donating. Giving to Kenyon may mean assisting with alumni admissions interviews; it may mean offering to assist a current student seeking an internship at your company; it may mean submitting class notes to your agents on time; or it may just mean putting your name on a website to show that you’re willing, if asked, to offer students advice. Giving some piece of yourself — be it time, talent, or treasure — is a way to keep a part of you with Kenyon, in a sense. Doing this will help you feel a little less sad about leaving the place where memories dwell dear.
Finally, remember the world actually is your oyster now. You likely aren’t married yet, probably don’t have a mortgage yet, and likely haven’t advanced enough in your career yet for a job change to be devastating. Find what you love, because this may be the best time in your entire life to do so.