You’ve made it grad! Your hard work has paid off and you’re ready to start your first job “in the real world.” It’s an exciting time in your life, so don’t let the fact that you have to start adulting bring you down. We’ve got you covered. Below is a quick overview of some things you’ll want to consider as you start this next chapter of life.
Make sure you’re covered
You’ll have three options when it comes to making a decision about your health insurance coverage.
- Stay on your parent’s plan
As part of the Affordable Care Act, young adults can stay on their parent’s health insurance plan until the age of 26. If you’re currently on your parent’s plan, check and see what kind of coverage they have. If they have coverage through their employer, in most cases, you can still stay on it even if you get married or have a child.
- Join the group coverage offered by your new employer
Your new job may offer you benefits that include a health insurance plan. If that’s the case, review the coverage and pick the plan that’s right for you. We know it can be overwhelming to read through all your options, especially if you’re learning about them for the first time. Here are a few resources about understanding how health insurance works:
- Buy your own coverage
If your new employer doesn’t offer coverage and you won’t be on your parent’s insurance plan, you’ll need to shop for a plan on your own. You can do this one of two ways: shop directly from the insurance company website or shop for plans on Healthcare.gov. If you shop plans on Healthcare.gov, you’ll be able to compare available plans and learn if you’re eligible to receive a lower monthly premium.
New schedule, new routine
Spring and summer breaks will soon be a distant memory, but it’s still important to make time for yourself. As you’re figuring out your new routine, don’t forget to make physical activity and mental breaks part of the plan. Not only will exercise help keep you fit, but it can also reduce the harmful effects of stress.
Here are some easy ideas to incorporate wellness into your daily routine:
- Park farther away from your office to get extra steps to and from your car, and if your office has them, take the stairs.
- Ask your coworkers to have a walking meeting, instead of one around a desk.
- Bring a water bottle to work to make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day. Bonus points if you walk to the fountain farthest away to fill it up.
If you’re feeling particularly energetic, check out these deskercise moves to help you exercise at your desk.
BYOL: Bring your own lunch
A full-time job can quickly put you in a daily routine and you may start to look forward to that mid-day break for lunch. Keep things exciting by switching up your lunch from time-to-time. These recipe ideas are sure to give you inspiration for your next lunch, plus they’ll be a nice break from PB&J or a frostbitten hunk of meat.
- 38 No-Heat Lunches to Bring to Work (Food Network)
- 27 Awesome Easy Lunches to Bring to Work (BuzzFeed)
- 20 Desk Lunches For Work That Aren’t Boring (Genuis Kitchen)
Follow all of these tips and you’ll be well on your way to adulthood! For some extra advice, we asked BCBSKS employees what they would tell college graduates as they enter the workforce. Click on each photo to read what they said.
