A College Graduate in NYC: My Transition to the Real World
Recently, many underclassmen have been asking me, "Lindsay, what is life after college like?" During my four years at Barnard College, I always imagined that life after college would be glamorous and full of extravagant affairs. I envisioned high heels in place of flip flops, tailored suits in place of Gap jeans, office parties in place of Thursday nights at The West End. Even though I have been in the "real world" for less than a month, I have experienced enough to know that my post-college fantasies were just that - fantasies. Living and working in the real world is exciting for sure, but without the familiarity of a college campus, even the smallest tasks become difficult feats. Living and working in the real world really is hard work.
When I was in college, I never had to wake up before 10:00 am. In the beginning of my freshman year I planned my four-year schedule strategically, ensuring that none of my classes started before 10:35 am. After my alarm clock sounded each morning, I would throw on a pair of comfortable jeans and a hooded sweatshirt, and then dart off to class with only a few seconds to spare. My friends and I often complained about going to class, arguing that most class discussions and assigned readings were unnecessary to complete the paper topics listed on the syllabus. Exaggerating our workload, we continually whined, "I have SO much work," and pouted the entire way to the computer lab.
Now, I finally see just how unwarranted our complaints were. Although my current "real world" job at Zingerplatz Pictures, an independent production company where I help with publicity, requires much less busy work, I must wake up every morning at 8:15 am to catch the subway. My morning and afternoon commutes to work, which take about forty-five minutes, fall in the midst of rush hour traffic. Every morning, I squeeze through the subway doors with other briefcase-carrying New Yorkers and wait patiently until I reach my stop. Once inside the office, I spend my time assembling and distributing press kits and corresponding with major media throughout the country, hoping to gain publicity for upcoming screenings and film festivals. I do this Monday-Friday. Although the job is engaging and my co-workers are great, unfortunately, there is no such thing as a three day weekend in the real world.
When I come home from my daytime job at Zingerplatz Pictures, I begin working on articles for Dancer and any other publications for which I can freelance. While I am not regretting my decision to stay in New York City after graduation, I am realizing how expensive it is to live comfortably here. During school, I needed extra cash only to buy new clothes or to go out with my friends. Now, I need to save my money to spend it on real life things, necessities, which is why I have also secured a weekend job working retail.
Looking back, I realize how many things in my collegiate life I took for granted. In addition to a relatively stress-free schedule and the proximity of the campus, I was able to take dance classes any time I wanted. As a dance major, I had the luxury of walking into any technique class even if I was not enrolled in the course. Even more importantly, I had a multitude of performance opportunities that I could utilize at my discretion. I had an amazing advisor helping me make decisions every step of the way, and I had an entire department of people to confide in when things got hectic. The Department of Dance at Barnard was like my second home, and the students and faculty like family.
In the fall of 2002, I wrote that the most difficult part of leaving home for college was "learning to let go of the past." Now, in the same kind of transitional phase just four years later, I will not take my own advice; I am not going to let go of the past or relinquish the memories I acquired at Barnard. On the contrary, I will bring it all with me everywhere I go, reminding people I encounter that my experiences at Barnard have helped to shape the real life person I am becoming. In addition, I am going to return to the Barnard campus as often as possible to visit the faculty members who touched my life more than they are probably aware.
As this transitional phase from full-time college student to full-time real life working person continues, I wonder when I will find time to take open classes at Steps and Broadway Dance Center. Although my current plans for the future do not include dancing professionally, I am 100% sure that I want dance to have a permanent place in my life. Some people insist that there is not enough time to do it all, but I do not let their negativity discourage me. Life after college may not be glamorous (yet!), but it sure is full of opportunity.