Who Are You After College? + Life After College by Jenny Blake

In this post: A short argument in favor of avoiding this book. Come for the reflective exercises, stay for... nothing else, really.

Category: Finding Yourself + Post College

Disclaimer: This will be a relatively short post. I haven't finished this book due to what I write below and cannot recommend it. I didn't find too many things of value, so this Ramiah Reflects will be pretty scarce. I will continue to work through parts of this book and update my review if my opinion changes.

Sorry about the bad quality, this was the best photo I could find.

Ramiah Recommended?

No! The only thing I would recommend this book for is its exercises (which are actually really great and make up most of the time I have spent with this book). Let me explain why.

I was so excited to read this book. I have browsed countless 'books to read for new grads' lists online but few of those recommended works have been all-encompassing guides for graduates. Life After College: The Complete Guide to Getting What You Want was recommended a couple of times - which met my criteria for me to put it on my list (coming soon!) - and I expected it to be really good. The table of contents for this book prepared to expect good good advice on my home, relationships, personal growth, and all sorts of things. Once I started reading, though, I was completely let down.

Making it to college and graduating college means certain things (unless there are extreme circumstances, such as a school with poor curriculum). You know how to complete tasks, you know what a resume is, and you've lived long enough to get a little taste of what life is like. Reading this books feels as if none of those things are true.

I didn't expect every piece of advice to result in a groundbreaking, world-changing epiphany, but I also didn't expect this book to be this basic. Blake's answer to planning to have a great life is to take things "'one day at a time. Let me say it again: ONE. DAY. AT. A. TIME,'"(pg 12).

Yes, that was an actual quote.

Maybe this book doesn't work because this writing style doesn't appeal to me. Maybe it doesn't work because Blake tries to read as a loving big sister but comes across as a long-lost cousin.

Early on, the book also reads more as a memoir than a personal development book, and there is not enough foundation set up for me to feel connected to the author or what she's saying:

I have been motivated by achievement my entire life. And for the most part, it has worked very well for me. I started working full-time at the start-up company when I was 20 years old. I finished my degree from UCLA in three years with a double major and college honors - Jenny Blake (pg 3)

Imagine reading that three pages in.

Essentially, when the book isn't basic, it's preachy (contrary to what the testimonial on the cover says). For those reasons, I ended skipping through other chapters of the book. And I really tried to stick it out.

I do like how Blake formatted the book into sections within chapters. She includes advice from other college students, quotes from public figures, tweets, and even recommended reading. Unfortunately, sometimes even these contents are lackluster.

The saving grace of each chapter were the exercises. I am a fiend for self-reflection, and this book is rich with it. The first chapter is focused on finding your values and challenges you to consider how they connect. These exercises were priceless as I try to redefine who I am in this new stage in my life - gone are the times I introduced myself as a 'sophomore' or 'Executive Director of XYZ Student Club'. These exercises will give what you put in (which is easily a couple of hours), and are great to come back to after a couple of days to see if anything changed.

Ramiah Reflects

My New Favorite Life Quotes:

• (...sorry, but there's nothing to report here, folks)

Questions to Ask Yourself (and answer!):

• What are your top 20 values values? Top 10? Top 5?

• What are goals you have for the next 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years?

• What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?

Food for Thought:

• Writing styles can strongly dictate the effectiveness of a message.

Ramiah's Re-Read When

Re-read when:

• You want exercises that call you to reflect on your values, money habits, health, and more

• You want more life quotes to add to your arsenal

• You want more books on a given topic to add to your collection

No book notes this time.

Note: I do plan to have regular length posts even for books I don't recommend, ideally with book notes as well if there's enough noteworthy material. Hopefully this book is the only exception.

Give this book a try and tell me if you agree!

Check out my other posts and book notes here.

Until next time!

Montana Houston