Turning College Regrets into Self-Improvement: A Guide for Unemployed Graduates
- AEXTRAVELS
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 17
It’s almost Graduation day, and instead of feeling triumphant you feel anxious about paying off your college debt or maybe you wish you’d chosen a different major, joined more clubs, or networked better. These thoughts are normal—but they don’t have to define your future. This is all part of “Adulting 101.” My advice, use these feelings as fuel for self-improvement and growth.
Acknowledge Your Regrets—But Don’t Dwell
First, let yourself feel those regrets. Ignoring them won’t make them disappear. Write them down on a journal or on your phone as Notes. Be honest with yourself.
Ask yourself:
Did I skip internships?
Did I avoid public speaking?
Did I join any clubs or make friends?
Did I reach out to a professor or mentor to guide me?
Acknowledging these feelings is the first step toward moving past them.
Reframe Regret as Feedback
Regret is just feedback from your past self. It’s not a verdict on your worth or potential. Ask yourself:
What can I learn from the things I wrote down?
How can I use these lessons to shape my next steps?
For example, if you regret not networking, you now know the value of connections. That’s a lesson you can act on now.
Identify Skills You Can Build Now
You may not be able to go back, but you can always go forward. Make a list of skills you wish you’d developed in college—technical, creative, or interpersonal. Then, find ways to build them now:
Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and edX offer free and low-cost classes.
Volunteer Work: Nonprofits need help, and volunteering can build your resume and confidence. Check out local community-based organizations or Church.
Freelance Projects: Sites like Upwork or Fiverr let you practice skills and earn money. Update your LinkedIn and resume. Apply to jobs on Glassdoor or Indeed. Don’t be picky!
Set Achievable Goals
Big changes start with small steps. If you regret not improving your public speaking, volunteer to give a workshop on your expertise for parents or children through a community based organization in your neighborhood. If you wish you’d learned coding, start with a beginner-friendly course like Free Code Camp and set a goal to build a simple project.
On your journal write your answers to the following questions:
Who am I?
Where am I going?
What are my shorts term goals? 1-3 years
What are my long term goals 3-5 years
How can I be the better version of myself tomorrow and beyond?
As your mentor I want you to be the better version of yourself!
Connect with Others
Regret can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. Reach out to former classmates, professors, or professionals in your field. Join a Reddit group or join a fitness or dance class. On Reddit you can anonymously share your own experiences. You’ll find that many people have similar regrets—and that most successful careers are built on learning from missteps.
Practice Self-Compassion
You did the best you could with the information and resources you had at the time. Be kind to yourself. Self-improvement isn’t about punishing your past self—it’s about bettering yourself everyday and investing in your future. If something is challenging it means you will come out better and stronger!
Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Every skill you build, every connection you make, and every step you take is progress. Celebrate the small wins. Over time, these add up to real transformation.
Final Thoughts
Regret is a sign that you care about your future. Instead of letting it hold you back, let it push you forward. The road to self-improvement is always open—no matter where you started.
Your value isn’t defined by your job status or your college choices. It’s defined by your willingness to learn, grow, and move forward—starting today. Take initiative and if there’s a great opportunity take it! You never know if you will like it.
If you found this helpful, share this post with others. Share your story and your tips for self-improvement in the comments below or on social media. Let’s grow together!
Wisdom of the Day:
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”
