Favreau - Stuff Every Graduate Should Know: A Handbook for the Real World

Copyright 2016 by Quirk Productions, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Number: 2015946938

ISBN: 978-1-59474-860-8
eBook ISBN: 978-1-59474-861-5

Designed by Andie Reid
Production management by John J. McGurk

Quirk Books
215 Church Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
quirkbooks.com

v3.1

To my parents

You did it. You got through it. Youve run the gauntlet of exams, essays, and the occasional all-nighter and come out of it reasonably unscathed. Youve got a diploma, a gown, and a nifty tasseled cap. (Fun fact to impress your friends: that hat is sometimes called a mortarboard or trencher.) Now its time to gear up and succeed at this little thing called the entire rest of your life.

No pressure, right?

Gone are the days when grimy bedrooms, last-minute cram sessions, and uneaten pizza in the sink are acceptable parts of living. (Or, okay, mostly gone.) Adulthood means finding a job, making new friends, cooking, cleaning, and (Im sorry) doing your taxes. Youll be learning a lot, but you dont need to feel overwhelmedI promise.

Whether you need help finding your new dream home or polishing that resume to dazzle potential employers, youll find what you need within these pages. (See that fun fact above? Thats just the beginning.) Of course, this little book cant teach you everything, but, hey, no one ever took the world by storm without learning to wash their own socks first.

So congratulations, good luck, and go clean up that leftover Thai food. The real world awaits.

Whatever your personal style, the right clothes will make you feel cool, calm, and confident. Heres how to assemble, accessorize, and afford a grown-up wardrobe.

Even though flashy statement pieces are fun to wear (and to shop for), invest in basicsthese should form two-thirds to three-quarters of your wardrobe. Youll spend less overall, and you wont have to sprint to the Laundromat weekly to get your one good shirt cleaned. Standards include button-down shirts, solid-color tops, dark jeans, a winter coat, a fall/spring coat, a plain black dress, a suit, black socks, comfy underwear, workout wear, and lounging pants.

Buy clothing that will lastand be prepared to spend more for it. Cheap fast-fashion chains are tempting, but the quality wont hold up and the looks go out of style in a flash. Similarly, resist the temptation to scoop up ill-fitting impulse buys, even if the price is low. It hurts my ribcage but only costs $3 is not a valid rationalization.

That said, some thingslike fitted jackets, blazers, and blouses, or dress pants and skirtswill likely need to be tailored to fit properly. Budget an extra $10$30 for alterations, especially if youll wear them to work.

Delicate materials like silk and cashmere are beautiful but also high maintenance (read: dry-clean only). If you dont have time to professionally launder clothes, dont buy them. Opt for machine-washable fabrics like cotton and synthetics. (Ditto for stuff that needs a lot of ironing: Be realistic! Do you even own an iron?)

If youre shopping online, know your measurements (visit a tailor; dont just guess) and pay attention to user reviews and return policies. (Before ordering, google [name of store] coupon to find discounts.) The Internets also great for fashionable plus-size clothing, pants with extra-long inseams, and hard-to-find styles.

A good off-the-rack suit should have jacket sleeves that end exactly at your wrist and pant legs that fall with a single break (or fold) above the feet. Stick with wool or a wool-cashmere blend (no polyester!) in charcoal or navy for maximum versatility.

Buy shoes made of real leather (or good-quality vegan leather), stitched (not glued) soles, and all organic (not synthetic) materials for laces. Pony up for a polishing kit to keep your leather looking good: polish once a month for occasional wear, once a week for shoes worn daily. A good pair can last a long time, so find a good cobbler to resole your kicks when necessary.

When you dress for a new job, err on the conservative side: a suit is usually fine, or business casual at leastthat is, some variation on a button-down shirt, dark pants or skirt (with pantyhose), and clean shoes. Still unsure what to wear? Rule of thumb: dress like your boss.

If youre wearing a suit jacket, heres a rundown of which button to fasten: sometimes (top button), always (middle), never (bottom).

Heels, wacky patterns, bright shirts, and fun bow ties can be fine, but the goal is to appear competent rather than super stylish (though if you can pull off both, great!). Dont wear flip-flops, sneakers, or short shorts to work. Tank tops are okay under a blazer or neutral cardigan.

Dressing business casual might mean covering up more than youre used to. Add a camisole under slightly sheer blouses, and invest in a neutral-colored office cardigan that can live at your desk in case of sudden arctic air-conditioning.

Outfit yourself for the demands of the job. Wear footwear with good arch support if youre on your feet a lot, opt for layers if you work outside, bring a change of clothes if you work with children, and avoid flowing fabrics near machinery.

Since the last thing you want to do when youre bedridden is make complicated self-care decisions, here are some quick tips for combatting common ailments.

Blow your nose instead of sniffing the phlegm back into your body.

Gargle with warm salt water.

Clear your sinuses by taking a hot shower; or fill a bowl with hot water, put your face over the steam, and cover both your head and the bowl with a towel.

Drink lots of fluids.

Wash your hands as often as possible.

Eat foods that are easy on a sore throat, like soups and applesauce.

Opt for nondrowsy daytime cold medicine if you need to stay alert, and sleep-friendly formulas when you want to catch some Zs.

Clear your nasal passages using a neti pot and sinus rinse (available at most pharmacies; be sure to use distilled water or water thats been boiled and cooled to avoid parasites).

As with a cold, hydrate, gargle, and unclog your sinuses.

Prevention goes a long way: get a seasonal flu shot, wash your hands frequently, and stay away from that one coworker who showed up looking like a zombie.

Stay home. Wait a full 24 hours after a fever abates before resuming your normal schedule.

Try to eat a little something, even if you lack an appetite. A bit of soup or plain rice can help keep up your strength.

Get a thermometer (before you get sick, ahem!) and monitor your temperature to make sure its returning to normal (98.6F; 37C).

Rest and drink plenty of water. Popsicles will work.

Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen can lower a fever, and most drug stores stock fever-specific options. Be sure to read all labels carefully.