The Luxury of Time: Following you Post-Grad Passions

By: Grace Balkan

What will I DO with myself after college?  Do grownups have fun?  Will it be utterly miserable? 

 All valid questions. And I’m still answering them myself. These thought’s don’t often bother us in college as we run around from one activity to the next.  There’s simply no time between classes, homework, sports, meals, coffee dates (where ya at, sorority sisters?) and that random ninth club you somehow signed up for at the Hub.  Believe me, I understand.  Every possible minute is filled to the brim.  After college, things change a bit.  You’re busy, but you have time.  Those things that the college made easier for us - food, housing, community, social engagements - are now completely your own responsibility.  Under that weight of managing daily life, it’s very easy to let those things that inspire us just slip away.

 My life is my responsibility now, and the direction I take it is my decision. A daunting prospect. Or is it? I challenge you to consider the gloomy unknown of post-college life as an opportunity rather than something to fear. Consider this: What do you enjoy doing most in your day? It can be as big as planning a dream job or as small as walking to class on a brisk morning. For me, that one thing that kept me going has always been music. Any song, any time, day or night. In fact, music fascinates me so much that I could never study well with it in college. I got too distracted listening to the beat, the words, the layers of instruments. My friends always teased me about the wordless elevator music I had to play to focus. I never knew where my passion for music would take me because I couldn’t afford to think about it. Three papers needed writing and countless pages needed skim- er, reading. But now, I have the luxury of more time. 

Unscheduled, unruffled time.  

Time to think. Time to explore. Time to dream. 

Don’t give up on the things that have always motivated and inspired you. Sure, they might not put bread on the table right now or ever, but they do sustain your creativity and passion.  

What puts a smile on your face as you drive down the road to work? Is it a song? An idea?  A memory? What brings enthusiasm to your step? Then ask yourself, why would I give up on that thing merely because I walked across a stage and received a piece of paper? Yes, graduation is important. But your life is beginning, not ending.  God gave you passions and dreams. Don’t shut them down because you’re getting a job and becoming a ‘professional.’  

Above all, know this: you will always have time for the things that matter most to you.  I always said Hillsdale taught me how, not what, to learn.  That goes beyond academics.  In my new stage of life, I’m learning how to creatively explore the activities that bring me joy. Don’t ever let a job or career stop you from exploring those creative passions that make you tick. Life is too short to wait for a perfect moment to be creative. For me, that looks like singing and playing an instrument. I’m taking guitar lessons, trying to write some music, joining a local choir, participating in local theatre, even tried stage managing a show. I’ve always wanted to develop my abilities in the arts, and for the first time ever I have time to do so.  Of course, everyone has different interests.  The point is this: it’s an exciting time in life to explore. 

 I would be remis not to highlight the most important part of post-grad life: Church. The ability to serve my church by singing is one of the biggest musical blessings to date.  As a college graduate, you do and should have time for church. Take that leap, join the small group, volunteer, attend the Sunday school class.  Use your talents and bless others with them. It’s a lesson that took me a while to learn, but I can confidently say that church is the number one thing that has brought godly community and friendship into my post-grad life.  

 So the next time you’re tempted to feel blue or lonely or anxious about post-college life, take that opportunity to look at the bright side.  Explore the things you’ve always wanted or should do but never had time for.  Who knows, maybe God has called me towards music to sing for Him on Monday nights or leading worship at church, or maybe someday I’ll get to create my own songs too.  ¡Qué será, será!  I’m learning to enjoy the process and make the most of where I’m at.  

 The absolute luxury - and I do mean luxury - of post-College life is that you will finally have time to explore those passions you never seemed to be able to fit in between Calc II, American Heritage, and the billion events you committed to.   

 Maybe your thing isn’t music or reading or backpacking or even learning French (hey, I never said I had to stick to just one goal!), but there is something calling your name and creativity out there.  You probably already know what it is, or are figuring it out. Passions are thrilling things to discover, and I’m just getting started on mine.  I challenge you to do the same. 

Grace works at Hillsdale and loves all things fitness, music, film, and adventure. She would like to go sky diving someday and hopefully live to tell the tale.

Fun Fact: I love golf and practiced with the men’s team in college.