How Leaving Home Can Shape A Graduate's Future

Graduation season is right around the corner, and I’m willing to bet more than a few graduates out there have been putting off the “what now?” conversation until the very last minute.

One day you’ve got bells ringing, teachers talking, friends everywhere, and a schedule that’s basically controlled your whole life. Then Memorial Day weekend rolls around and suddenly you wake up with nowhere to be and nothing you have to do. At least that’s how it felt for me.

With the job market being what it is—and with some parents probably needing help themselves—it’s easy to jump straight into whatever job is available just to get a paycheck rolling in. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with working hard. In fact, I still believe a steady work history is one of the best things you can build for your future. Showing up every day and proving you’re dependable still matters.

The Best Thing You Might Do Is Leave Town

But honestly? That’s not really the advice I’d give a fresh graduate.

My advice is simple, and maybe a little controversial: get out of town for a while.

I know a lot of people joke that Lubbock “isn’t all that.” Well, maybe it is for you. Maybe it’s exactly where you belong. But you’re never really going to know that unless you experience a few other places first.

I personally had to leave Lubbock before I truly appreciated it. I’m grateful for the experiences I had somewhere else, and I’m equally grateful I got the chance to come back.

✈️ Go Experience Something

If you’ve got a couch to crash on in another city while you hunt for work, do it.

If you’ve got a cousin willing to hire you for the summer somewhere else, do it.

If you’ve got a chance to spend even a few months seeing how other people live, work, and think—take it.

You don’t have to move forever. You don’t have to “find yourself.” Just go experience a little bit of the world before you settle into one place permanently.