Graduation Doesn’t Mean Goodbye: 7 Tips for Staying Involved

As many students approach graduation, their minds are so busy preparing for the future that they lose sight of the past. Graduating from a college or university doesn’t have to mean cutting ties with the institution. Whether you’re graduating with an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree or a different form of credential, you should consider, as you prepare to leave, how you can stay involved and remain a part of the education community and, in doing so, give back to the institution that has likely given you so much.

1. Join the Alumni Association
Nearly all institutions of higher education have an alumni association.  By joining this group of proud graduates you can take part in planning events for other alumni to attend as well as create a network of friends with whom you share the same education experience.

2. Revisit Campus
Your graduation day shouldn’t mark the last time you set foot on your college campus. Instead, make revisiting this old stomping ground a regular occurrence, arranging to return every year for homecoming or a similar community-building event.

3. Read School Publications
When you graduate, your name will likely be added to a mailing list and you’ll begin receiving newsletters about your college or university. Instead of pitching these publications, read them when they arrive at your doorstep. By doing so, you can remain up-to-date on the exciting things happening at the college you once attended, ensuring that each time you return you’re not completely surprised the campus continues to grow despite your absence from it.

4. Share with Would-Be Students
Another way to remain involved is to be an emissary for your college or university. When talking to young people about to head off to college, tell them about the school you attended, giving them a realistic account of the strengths and weaknesses of your school. In doing so, you can help other likely confused soon-to-be college students to decide whether the education programs offered by your former school are right for them.

5. Keep Learning
Just because you’ve graduated with the credential you entered college seeking doesn’t mean you’re done learning. Even though you likely won’t have time to head back to school full-time after you enter the working world, you can stay connected to the college or university from which you graduated by taking an online class from time to time or signing up for weekend-long learning programs they may offer.

6. Become a Guest Speaker
If, upon graduation, you find success in the industry you trained to join, you could be an asset to the professors who taught you all you know. Send an email to these professors, telling them of your successes and offering to come in to speak to their current students. They’ll likely be glad to have you return to the classroom and speak as a way of showing these students the success that could be in store for them.

7. Donate Time and Money
Colleges and universities are nearly always strapped for cash. If you get established in the world of business and find yourself with extra funds to donate, do so. Even if the amount of money you have to offer is small, every bit helps. If you don’t have extra cash, donate your time by volunteering at events to stay a part of the college community.

You don’t stop being part of a college community once you graduate. As an alumnus, you’ll always be a member of your university’s family. Instead of allowing yourself to get too bogged down in the world of work and forgetting about the college or university you attended, put a concerted effort into remaining involved in the community to ensure you don’t forget your roots and that you do your part to give back to your institution of higher education.

About the author: Lindsey Harper Mac is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area. She specializes in writing guest posts on social media and education on behalf of Colorado Technical University. Currently, Lindsey is completing work on her master’s degree.