An open letter to recent college graduates in NJ

It’s graduation season, and the real world is getting an influx of new college graduates.

It wasn’t that long ago that I was in that exact spot. Bright-eyed and excited for what was to come, but also nervous too.

So my main message for the new college graduates is this: embrace the nerves and uncertainty you have.

It will help you get out of your comfort zone and flourish in a world that you haven’t been in before.

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The real world on the surface is scary. There are no more classes to go to, no more teachers to hold your hand and help you pass a class you might not have deserved to.

With the real world comes real responsibilities. You’ll be judged by your performance, and that performance will dictate your livelihood. How good your performance in your specific profession will be is up to you.

If you’re willing to put in the work, and work hard, the transition will be smooth. But that's up to you. It's easy to half-ass things in college. People will see through that in the real world. Nobody is going to accept work that isn't your best. But if you can leave that behind you in college you'll be on the right track.

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But just remember to embrace the ride. Channel your nervous energy into positivity. Think of it like you’re trying something brand new. It’s fun and exciting and you can attain success if you believe in yourself.

New Jersey high school graduation rates

The lists below show 4-year graduation rates for New Jersey public schools for the 2020-21 school year. The statewide graduation rate fell slightly, from 91% in 2019-20 to 90.6%.

The lists, which are sorted by county and include a separate list for charter schools, also include a second graduation rate, which excludes students whose special education IEPs allow them to qualify for diplomas despite not meeting typical coursework and attendance requirements.

Columns with an asterisk or 'N' indicate there was no data or it was suppressed to protect student privacy.

Gallery Credit: Michael Symons

Changes in NJ county populations since 2020

Census Bureau estimates of the change in county populations since the 2020 Census on April 1, 2020 also provide a glimpse into COVID-era trends, as that's roughly the same time the pandemic began. The list below sorts New Jersey's 21 counties by their total change between the Census and the July 1, 2021 estimate.

Gallery Credit: Michael Symons

The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5's Kyle Clark. Any opinions expressed are his own.

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