The Good Life: A Tough, but Promising Path Ahead for College Grads

Newsweek

22-05-2025

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Welcome to The Good Life! This week, we're talking about everything from the future facing college grads, the first FDA-cleared blood test for Alzheimer's, the price of a first date, digital detox tips, and more. We're glad you're here!
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Mike Segar/Reuters
The end of spring marks the start of a major new chapter for college seniors, as they prepare to leave campus and step into the 'real world." But instead of excitement, many are feeling growing anxiety about a job market that feels both unstable and confusing.
Hailey Washington, a senior majoring in marketing at Drexel University in Philadelphia, isn't bullish about her job prospects despite stellar undergraduate performance and indispensable industry experience from an internship at a luxury fashion brand.
"Most of my friends and myself do not have jobs lined up after graduation and are not getting interviews. We're all currently seeking part-time positions to build our resumes and to make some money as we search for full-time positions," Washington, 21, told Newsweek.
The jobless rate for workers aged 16 to 24 currently hovers below 10 percent, well above the national average of 4.2 percent, as the ascent of automation, global competition and overall economic upheaval have created a potent mix of trepidation and hope within the Class of 2025, often prompting a simple yet existential question: What happens now?
Read more from Newsweek's Joshua Rhett Miller.
Newsweek
This week, we learned that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to the bone. The announcement has sparked renewed attention to this serious disease, including one of the most common concerns: what are the warning signs?
It's a question that prostate cancer expert Dr. Ashutosh Tewari hears often from patients—but says it's a tough one to answer.
"That's the irony," Tewari told Newsweek. "It's a silent killer."
He explained that evidence of prostate cancer often won't appear until it is too late and the cancer has already grown, possibly to the point of being incurable.
"So the message here is don't expect cancer to declare itself—you should go out and look for it, you should understand the risk," he said.
Read more from Newsweek's Lauren Giella.
Digital Detox: How to Save Yourself from Too Much Screen Time
Do you have an unhealthy relationship with your phone?
It's okay if you think so, we're not judging—because you're not alone. In 2025, the average American adult spends 7 hours and 4 minutes a day looking at screens—basically an entire workday or a night's sleep. Of that time, 5 hours and 16 minutes are spent on phones, a 14% increase from the year prior, with health concerns ranging from high blood pressure to obesity to eye strain: the culprit being sitting down indulging in too much screen time.
And it's not just adults. Screen time is skyrocketing among younger generations too, and this could lead to trouble if we're not careful. Studies have linked excessive screen use in preteens to a higher risk of developing manic symptoms.
So how do we fix this? After all, screens are everywhere, right?
Avoiding technology completely may not be realistic—but taking baby steps can benefit your overall health. Here are some tips:
Set Tech-Free Zones
Designate spaces in your home where technology is completely off-limits—no phones, no tablets, not even a smartwatch. Great options include the dinner table, a reading nook or bedroom. Enforce these boundaries with tools like iOS Screen Time or Android's Digital Wellbeing—no willpower is required there.
Schedule Screen-Free Time
This one's easy. Choose a consistent window each day to unplug completely. Whether it's 30 minutes in the morning or an hour before bed, use this time to read, reflect or simply unwind without screens.
Be Mindful With Your Tech
Stop! Before reaching for your phone, pause. Ask yourself: Why am I doing this? If it's out of boredom or habit, consider another activity. Practicing mindfulness around your tech use can significantly improve your mental well-being.
Cut Back on Social Media
If you're a heavy social media user, consider limiting yourself to 30 minutes a day. Research shows that people who reduce social media use report less loneliness and depression—and a whole lot less FOMO.
Go Outside
This one's simple: spend time in nature. Even just 20 minutes a day—about two hours per week—can boost both your mental and physical health. Watch the clouds, feel the grass, take a walk. It all helps.
Declutter Digitally
And this is just a final tip when you are using screens. That inbox with 2,000 unread emails? It's probably stressing you out more than you realize. Take time to clear out your digital clutter—emails, unused apps, old files—and you'll likely feel a lot lighter, instantly.
In other news...
First blood test for Alzheimer's: The FDA has cleared marketing for the first-ever blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer's in people showing symptoms. The new test is set to create more accessible diagnostic results and decrease the reliance on more invasive testing. Read more.
The FDA has cleared marketing for the first-ever blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer's in people showing symptoms. The new test is set to create more accessible diagnostic results and decrease the reliance on more invasive testing. Read more. Love does cost a thing: What's your ideal first date—coffee, cocktails, a fancy dinner? Turns out, Americans are willing to spend big to impress a match—$125 on average! But how much really depends on where you live. Here's the breakdown.
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