You already have your career planned out until you saw your grades. You were floored, as you didn't meet the expected mark. The world came crashing down on you (or so you thought). You were ashamed to tell it to your parents. And you've been thinking of fibbing it during your next encounter with your coursemates. (Assuming this prickly topic would be brought up.) You can lock yourself in your room, lying down and feeling sorry for how your final year turned out. You could do it for a year, which should be a bigger mistake. (You must explain this gap to recruiters, as you don't want to be seen as too complacent.) You can go back to the drawing board and think of other options.
It would be pointless to trace your moves during the past twelve months, wondering where you might have slipped off. This could give you trepidation, as you assess your chances against new graduates. Do not think too hard about the situation, even beating yourself on what might have been. It's time for action, as there are many options that would put you in an advantage. This could turn into a meaningful, if not productive, day for you.
10 Ways To Get It Right
Arrange a meeting with your tutor. You miss your tutor, which should be a valid excuse for dropping by his/her office. Get to the point, as you explain your predicament. It's not an uncommon one, so your tutor could think of a few options. Don't decide on it, as this must not be rushed right away. You feel deflated, if not the circumstances put you in an unfamiliar position. You don't know your next move. Your tutor has been in that situation. Otherwise, experience should give you a hint.
Know thy talent. If your field of study didn't turn out to be your true calling, then it's high time to know yourself better. You must be good in something, if not a skill that your family and friends admire you for. Can you make a living from it? Do you know of any related jobs? Is it possible to turn it into a part-time job? These questions are related to the next item.
Talk to your parents. They have a network of ex-colleagues, and one could guide you to the right direction. They can also give you sensible advice, and you must not dismiss it. (They want the best for you.)
Get to know your college. Nothing wrong about walking down memory lane, but you have a different mission. You must have been familiar with the people who have been working in the university for years. Don't be shy about approaching them, as well as talking about your options. (The Career Planner may be the first figure on your list.) You can get a lead from there.
Look for a job. You have to start somewhere, and you can't be picky about your first job. Never underestimate dead-end positions, which you can bring up to the recruiter if you didn't include it in your resume. (It will be better than fibbing about your gaps in your work history.) You'll never know the people you'll work with, and one may give you the break that you're dreaming of.
Volunteer. Aside from learning new skills, volunteering for a good cause can give you an advantage. This is also another good excuse for avoiding the inevitable. (If you want to see the world, then don't hold back. You must check first on volunteering opportunities, though.)
Read more books. Good communication is a valuable asset, which can't be learned overnight. You won't master it during your few years in college (unless you have been deemed as Grammar Nazi by your coursemates). Reading will uplift your spirits, enabling you to think of ideas that may help you launch your career.
Pay attention to the numbers. The post-college period should be the right time to recall your best moments. It wouldn't be the parties, where you have drunk many glasses of alcohol (and remain standing). It would rather be the number of hours that took you to finish your essay. (The shorter, the more impressive to the recruiter.) It can be a group project, where you play an active role. You must take your time here, as anything can help you get back on track. Choose wisely.
Think about graduate studies. If you have nothing else to do, then this option isn't impractical as you think. You need to figure out what particular field that you're passionate about. Consult with your tutor. Assess yourself (if you can motivate yourself during those challenging moments). If it's in the affirmative, then don't look back.
Don't ever think of the pressure. Your undergraduate years should have taught you that you didn't live under ideal conditions. It's no different from what you're going through at the moment. This will help you look for solutions.
Here's the moral lesson
Grades won't be the only thing to gauge you. You must have other capabilities, which you didn't use to the fullest during your few years in college. You should have admirable traits, which will help you become a valuable asset to any company. You have a positive mindset, even a can-do attitude. It can take you far.
You need to move a little bit, so you can look at your situation differently. Thousands have been in your shoes, and they have gone on to achieve great careers.