By Amber J. Adams

Staff Writer

Stuffing cardboard boxes full of unused notebook paper and pens, Ahmed Ibrahim, a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior, said the reality of graduating from college had finally hit him.

"There are no worries about tests or feeling like I have work to turn in," he said. "It all comes down to a single thought of 'Man, what am I going to do after this?' "

Mr. Ibrahim said he plans to search for a job outside of Chattanooga.

For many new graduates, relocation is an inevitable part of the transition process.

After graduating from Savannah College of Arts and Design, Julie Holder stayed in Savannah, Ga., for a year before moving to New York City.

"It's a little bit hard to go off to school, but you meet friends, and you have people there to help you," she said. "It was more difficult the second time."

Ms. Holder said it is never too early for recent grads to start researching and preparing for a move.

"It's never to early to start sending out resumes," she said. "The worse they (employers) can be is annoyed if you are sending them too soon, but that's not that big of a deal."

Leaving Chattanooga after graduation gave Josh Branum, a UTC grad, the opportunity to revamp his lifestyle.

"I exercise, eat right, and I'm not such a slacker anymore," he said. "I guess it was an all-around change."

Mr. Branum said he was proud to move.

"I always thought I would be afraid to make the leap to a different city," he said. "It did take a lot to leave my comfort zone, but I am really glad that I did."

Jayne Holder, director of alumni affairs at UTC, said many alumni call the office looking for fellow alumni in their new area.

"They maybe call in regards to job opportunities, sometimes they call to see about alumni associations in the area and how to get connected socially and professionally with other alumni."

Mrs. Holder said contacting fellow alumni can be a good way to get acclimated to a new place.

"Anytime you have something in common with someone else and ... when you have that common experience, you know some of the people, same places, and it helps to get your foot in the door," she said.

Sarah Jones moved to Knoxville two weeks after graduating from UTC in May. She learned organization is key when making a big move.

"(When I moved), nothing was really organized," she said. "I just put everything in boxes and bags, and I had to go through everything when I got here."

Post-college life can still come with a transitional period, even if a graduate doesn't change cities.

For Greg Rollett, a University of Central Florida graduate, staying in Orlando made sense. After forming a band and a nonprofit organization, RockHunger, Mr. Rollett said he was reluctant to leave the city he formed a network in.

"There was no way I could start over and be at the level I am at now," he said.

Being a responsible adult in his college town does take some work, Mr. Rollett said.

"You do have to make a transition into an actual working person," he said. "You can't go out on a Tuesday night until 4 a.m. anymore.

Mr. Rollett said finding a balance between a new role as employee and the urge to hang out at old haunts is important.

"If I want to go out and get crazy, it's still right around the corner," he said. "But I've got to wait until Friday or Saturday because you have to put the career first. You have to find that balance."

Starting over gave her a chance to meet new people and explore life in the "real world," Ms. Jones said.

"In college you make your friends and get in a rut and do the same things over and over," she said. "(Moving) gives you a chance to branch out."

Mr. Branum said moving to Nashville was difficult but worth it.

"I saw a job opening, and I wanted to start a new chapter," he said. "I was only two hours away, but I didn't have any friends or family here. I miss my friends, but the way I look at it, I've gained so much more."

E-mail Amber J. Adams at aadams@timesfreepress.com