Not long after the confetti settles and your graduation cap touches the ground, you’ll hear questions that are just awkward.

Someone might ask, “What are you doing after graduation?”

Another person might ask, “What are you studying in college?”

You might have an answer to these. But if you don’t, there’s nothing wrong with you.

Below are answer 7 questions you might hear after graduating from high school and tactics for answering them!

1. What are you doing after graduation?

2. What are you doing with your summer?

3. Where are you going to college?

4. What are you studying in college?

5. Are you sure you can make money studying that in college?

6. Are you excited about college?

7. How does it feel to be done with high school?

What are you doing after graduation?

Many high school graduates have their plans “set in stone” by the time they walk across the platform to accept their high school diploma, but many don’t.

You might not yet know where you’ll attend college, if you’ll attend college, or even how you’ll celebrate your graduation yet. That’s okay.

So how do you answer this question that might cause a flood of anxiety?

Redirect.

You don’t need to prove yourself or impress people.

Focusing your answer on what you can talk about can help avoid awkward follow-up questions you don’t have answers to yet.

Simply put, you could say something like: “I’m still working on finalizing my plans, but I’m looking forward [insert something exciting you’re doing this].”

Be honest but brief.

You don’t need to give them the long-version of your answer.

You don’t owe them an explanation either, but you don’t have to lie in order to answer.

Answer with something like, “I’m not sure college is the best next step for me, so I’m actively exploring alternative plans to set me up for success.”

Focus on what you’ve achieved.

Graduating from high school is a big achievement, so focus on this when you answer.

Your answer could sound something like, “Isn’t it crazy that I’ve graduated from college? I’m so thankful that I completed this milestone in my life. One of the things I’m most proud of achieving is [insert significant past achievement].”

What are you doing with your summer?

It’s okay if you don’t have a trip planned, an internship lined up, or a graduation party.

Graduating from high school can be celebrated in many ways, but you don’t have to celebrate this achievement in one of these ways.

So how do you answer these questions if you don’t have your summer plans finalized?

Share the small things.

“I’m so excited to finally be done with high school! I’m looking forward to getting some extra sleep and to being free from homework for a while.” These are honest things, but allow you to escape the BIG plans.

Share certain things.

If you’re going to college, share about some of the things you know you’ll have to do like attend summer orientation or buy things for your dorm room.

If you’re not sure if you’re going to college, share about what you know will happen this summer like continuing your part-time job or annual summer plans.

Where are you going to college?

If you’re not certain where you are going to college or if you’re going to college, this can be an exceedingly awkward question to answer.

You don’t need to be embarrassed but will likely want a trick to escape the question that you’re still trying to figure out for yourself.

Here are a few ways you can answer:

Be vague.

“I’ve applied to several colleges, but I’m still narrowing down my options” can help you provide an answer without feeling the need to go into all the details.

Be brief.

“I’m still deciding if college is the right fit for me.” While sometimes this can be a slightly blunt answer, it can help you move the conversation along.

What are you studying in college?

If you haven’t selected a major yet, are entering as an undeclared major, or are feeling uncertain about your declared major, you are normal.

Deciding on what you want to decide in college is challenging.

Many students enter college as an undeclared major or switch their major in college, so you’re in good company.

Meanwhile, how do you answer this question?

If you haven’t selected your major yet…

Answering with “I’m still considering a few different majors, but I want to take more time to research before selecting a declared major” can help you sound deliberate rather than lost in life.

If you are entering as an undeclared major…

Did you know many colleges encourage students to spend the first year in a general major or as an undeclared major?

Why not share this information with the person who asked you this question too?

If you are uncertain about your declared major…

“I’m starting as a/an _________ major, but I know it’s common to add a minor or switch majors during your first few semesters.”

How are you going to make money with that major?

Your major is your business, not theirs.

And this question is slightly nosy and pushy, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be asked them.

So how do you answer this personal question?

Focus on what you’re excited about learning.

“One of the things I’m excited about my major is studying how _______ works” can help you avoid the money topic and focus on your interests.

Focus on why you enjoy that field.

Describing an experience that inspired you to study your major or somebody in that field of study that’s your role model can help you redirect away from the nosy parts of this question.

Are you excited about college?

Entering your college years can be intimidating to some.

Entering your college years can feel like it’s not that big of a deal to some.

Entering your college years means different things to different people, and (as a result) evokes different emotions from those graduating from high school.

So if you wouldn’t describe “excited” as your feelings, how do you answer this question?

Share about what you are excited about.

Something like “I’m excited that my family got to come to my graduation…” or “I’m excited we’ve finally reached summer break…” can help you redirect the question to what you do want to talk about.

Share about the relief of finishing another school year.

You might be excited about being done with a certain tricky class, focus your answer on this.

You might be excited about not having to wake up at 6 a.m. to make the bus, focus your answer on this.

How does it feel to be done with high school?

Graduating from high school isn’t typically filled with fanfare.

Being sad or lonely after graduating from high school are normal feelings for many.

Usually when someone asks you how you feel about graduating from high school, they’re looking for you to say something positive.

But if you don’t feel excited or relieved, how should you answer without inviting some awkward follow-up questions?

Express appreciation.

You can answer by reflecting on the parts you’ve missed or will miss but with a positive spin:

“I’m so grateful for all the people who made these past four years successful”

OR

“I’ve loved my high school years. The teachers I’ve had and the friends I’ve made allowed me to have a great high school experience.”

Highlight the good things.

You can positively speak about the things you’ve enjoyed in high school in a way that helps you honestly share your thoughts.

Try answering like this: “I’m going to miss _______. They were so encouraging and helpful, and I don’t know how I would’ve made it through high school without them.”

Graduating from high school is a call for celebration or a milestone, but it’s also a doorway into a sometimes intimidating and scary future.

Knowing how to answer questions can help you feel more confident and less stressed about what’s next for you.

Have other awkward questions you’d like tips on answering? Leave a comment below!