You've graduated! Now what?

"Where should I live? Do I move home? If I don't, how am I going to pay for rent? I don't even have a job! What now?" 

Those were the questions I faced upon graduation. For the first time in 5 years (because only winners take victory laps), I didn't have to worry about studying...student org calendars...add/drop deadlines, etc. Instead, I was welcomed into the real world with bills, choices and responsibilities. It takes some adjusting to, but you'll get the hang of it before you know it! 

They say that college is the best 4(+) years of your life. Why not preserve some of it? I created two shadow boxes (seen below) with mementos of of my college experience. You can find shadow boxes at craft stores, like Michaels or Hobby Lobby, in all shapes and sizes. These boxes in particular came with velcro and small white pins, as pictured below. 

I found it most helpful to first anchor the green stole, knot the cords in the middle (to shorten them) and lastly pin the cap.

If you wore multiple graduation stoles, it may be best to create two shadow boxes. It is so easy to fill a Greek shadow box, because you are likely to have lots of odd and ends (bid day cards, photos, etc). Plus, if you have two, one could be a great gift to your parents!

The trickiest part was the graduation stole. I draped the Delta Zeta stole over the back of the box, rolled the bottoms inwards and secured both sides with white pins.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." -Dr. Seuss