Graduation: Embracing the Journey Beyond School

Alex Koupal • April 19, 2024

Embracing the Journey Beyond School

May marks a pivotal moment for graduates—the threshold between academia and the real world. Stepping beyond the classroom doors into a realm of new possibilities can be exhilarating yet overwhelming. It's a time of transitions, uncertainties, and boundless potential.

Navigating the post-school landscape is an adventure in itself. For many, it's about donning the job hunter's hat, while for others, it's pursuing higher education and let’s not forget the journey ahead of becoming financially independent! But amidst these diverse paths lies a common ground—a need for guidance and support.

First things first: job hunting. It's a world of its own, and advice often comes in plenty. Tailoring resumes, acing interviews, and networking can feel like an uphill climb. But here's the deal—it's not just about landing a job; it's about finding your place in the professional world. Embrace the process, seek mentorship, and remember, rejection is a detour, not a dead-end. Finding a career counselor, mentor or coach can help break the steps down into bite sized pieces, give guidance on priorities and make the process feel a bit less daunting.

Transitioning to the workplace presents its own set of challenges. From adjusting to office culture to understanding professional norms, it's a learning curve. But fear not—asking questions, being adaptable, and fostering relationships with colleagues can smoothen this transition. We’ve all been there once. Sometimes that intimidating boss that you think hates you, is actually a best friend waiting to happen.

Ah, finances—a topic that might make even the bravest shudder. Managing money post-graduation is a crucial skill. Creating budgets, understanding loans, and making informed financial decisions pave the way for a secure future. There’s a lot to learn and face it, not all of us know everything! Having a friend, family member or even a life coach can help you figure out best practices and help you see things you might not have accounted for, before it’s too late. Having a plan for financial freedom is always a good idea, and it usually takes time to become financial independent.

Yet, amid these practicalities, there's an undeniable uncertainty about life after graduation. It's okay not to have it all figured out (heck I’m still trying to figure it out!). Embrace the unknown, explore diverse opportunities, and remember that growth often thrives in the uncharted territories.

To all the recent graduates stepping into this exciting phase: take a breath, trust the journey, and know that it's okay to be vulnerable and to seek guidance. Empowerment lies in acknowledging that transitions aren't just about reaching a destination but embracing the ride.

So, whether it's diving into the workforce, pursuing further studies, or charting an unconventional path, remember this: the journey beyond school is about resilience, learning, and crafting a narrative uniquely yours. Embrace it, cherish it, and thrive amidst the uncertainties—because this journey, dear graduate, is yours to own. Congratulations, and welcome to the adventure that awaits beyond the classroom!

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How to Figure Out What You Want in Life (Without the Overwhelm)

By Alex Koupal • April 16, 2025

Let’s be real—figuring out what you actually want in life can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. If you’re a busy mom juggling a million things or a twenty-something stuck in “what’s next?” mode, the pressure to have it all figured out is exhausting . But here’s the thing: You don’t need a five-year plan. You just need a starting point. 1. Stop Stressing About Having the "Right" Answer No one wakes up one day with a perfectly clear vision of their future. Life is messy, careers change, and passions evolve. Give yourself permission to explore instead of forcing yourself to commit to one path forever. Take the pressure off—it’s not that serious. 2. Follow What Feels Good What are you naturally drawn to? What do you find yourself Googling or watching a TikTok at 2 AM? Pay attention to the things that spark your interest—that’s where the magic starts. 3. Try Before You Decide You don’t have to quit your job or go back to school tomorrow. Test things out! Take a class, volunteer, start a side hustle—get a feel for what excites you before making big moves. 4. Talk to Real People I know, I know… talking to people can be awkward, but real opportunities don’t just knock on your door. Reach out to people who are doing something that interests you. Ask them how they got there. You’d be surprised how many are willing to share advice—and how much clarity you’ll gain just by listening. 5. Just Take the First Step The biggest thing holding people back? Overthinking. (Yep, shocking, I know.) Stop waiting for the perfect plan and just start —sign up for that workshop, send that email, go to that event. Clarity comes from doing , not from obsessing over every little detail. You don’t need all the answers today. Just take one small step and trust that you're figuring it out as you go. 6. Don’t Do It Alone Big decisions feel less overwhelming when you have someone in your corner. A mentor, coach, or even just a trusted friend can help you see things from a different perspective. If you’re feeling stuck, let’s talk! Book a clarity session —sometimes, all you need is a little guidance to get moving in the right direction.

Tiktok, Social Media & Teens: How to guide without just saying, "Get off your phone!"

By Alex Koupal • April 9, 2025

Let’s be real: telling teens to “get off your phone!” doesn’t work. Social media is part of their world. For our teens, social media is how they connect, learn, and express themselves. So how can we help them use it wisely without sounding and being the villain? There’s a way to help them navigate social media mindfully, and no, it doesn’t involve a complete ban. 1. Start the Conversation, Not the Battle Instead of becoming the enemy and banning social media out of the blue, talk to your teen about what they’re doing on it. Is it for learning, creativity, or just entertainment? Understanding their “why” helps guide them to use it more purposefully. 2. Set Healthy Boundaries Together Instead of enforcing rules, involve your teen in setting healthy screen-time limits. It gives them ownership and responsibility over their habits. For example, “I’ll spend 30 minutes scrolling up on TikTok after school, and then I’ll switch to doing homework” can be a much better strategy than enforcing a rigid rule that feels like punishment. When your teen has a say in the boundaries, they’re more likely to stick to them. 3. Be a Role Model What adults do, Teens do! If we’re glued to our phones, constantly checking social media, it sends the message that it’s okay to get lost in the digital world. Model healthy habits, like setting phone-free times, taking social media breaks, or just being present during family time. Show them how to use social media in a balanced way by setting phone-free times and modeling healthy habits. 4. Encourage Real-Life Activities Social media is great for staying in touch, but it can never replace real-life experiences. Encourage hobbies, sports, or family time to keep them grounded. This way, they can create a well-rounded life that isn’t centered solely around the screen. Plus, those real-world experiences will give them something to post about on their feed! 5. Be Their Guide, Not Their Warden At the end of the day, we can’t control everything teens do online. But we can provide guidance, support, and resources to help them use social media in a positive and mindful way. Keep the lines of communication open and encourage them to have trusted mentors—whether it’s a teacher, coach, older cousin, or life coach—who can provide advice beyond just Mom or Dad. If you’re worried about your teen’s social media habits, let’s talk! Book a free parent support session.