5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Graduating University

Edited by: Thandiwe Twala

I'm sure most young adults can relate when I say, "I never knew adulting is this hard." Here are 5 things final-year students and graduates can do to help prepare themselves for life after college.

Life after College feels like the aftermath of escaping the Matrix and finding yourself stuck again. It can get to a point where you feel like all your peers are progressing except you. Here are some tips that you can leverage to help you progress. (In this article I use the word "University" and "College" interchangeably).

1. Have a sense of Direction

In most cases, you are still clueless about what you want to be. You can consider The Career Personality Profiler, a "career test that measures both your interests and your personality traits so you can find the right career for you."

Another option to consider taking to avoid delaying progress is attending free career guidance events/workshops colleges hold.

Even simple tasks like robbing a bank require a bulletproof plan. It all starts with a plan: take out a pen and a piece of paper to jot down what you want for your life.

2. Stay in touch with your connections

As you enter the corporate world you are quick to realise that the dynamics have changed. Therefore, to move up in life, you will need the assistance of others. Why not do that with a group of people you already trust like your fellow graduates?

Your peers could become your business associates or they can aid you somewhere down the narrow line to success. Check up on them from time to time and keep them updated on business opportunities that could benefit them. Lecturers and facilitators make for great references on your Curriculum Vitae, so also keep them informed.

3. Preparations for life after studying

Before entering the corporate world, there are some things we tend to neglect. Due to lack of experience and limited knowledge of life after studying, we end up struggling for almost half a year (or even more than that) trying to fix these things. Have you thought of getting yourself a driver's license or passport?

It would be wise to also focus on updating your CV (voluntary work form part of your work experience) and social media platforms like LinkedIn. Additionally, I advise that you file all your important documents, you do not want to lose them. Once all the above-mentioned are settled, focus on job hunting within your field of expertise. Most graduate programmes target youth that are about to graduate or that have recently graduated. However, you need to keep an open mind when job hunting because it can get draining and tiresome. Think of ways you can put your learned skills to work (you may come up with a business idea from that). Even if you struggle to find a job, make sure you have a source of income to sustain your lifestyle or fund your prospectus business (sell something or do the online surveys if needs be).

4. Things to Avoid before graduating

Firstly, it would be wise to avoid going back home after finishing your last exams. Let me explain why I say so.

Most students will instinctively opt to go home after writing their final exams to avoid paying rent for the remaining month(s). Now, I want you to imagine those students having part-time jobs. The number of students resigning from their job will create a huge opportunity for job seekers, and this is where you come in (sneaky, right?). This makes things easier for you to find temporary employment until you get your desired job. It also alleviates the stress of depending on your parents for your basic needs while job hunting (less stress of asking for airtime or data money to send those online applications).

Secondly, avoid overspending. Live within your means and save up for dark days. This means no more going out until you can afford that lifestyle.

Last but not least, avoid complaining. Rushing the process will make the journey less exciting and more agonising. Look forward to conquering the days as they come and enjoying every moment of them. Make sure to surround yourself with positive-minded people and those who share the same sentiments with you regarding job hunting, this will push you forward and keep you sane.

5. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep building

I wanted to think of a catchy acronym but it spelt out KKK or LGB and that made writing the last part of this blog even harder. So I will call this the CALMA method 😎.

Keep learning, keep growing and keep building. Try to question everything you were taught in college and find out if there are any alternatives. It is common to assume that most of us were cramming, but that information could be useful now that we are out of college. So, go read short articles on certain topics (especially those of your interest in your field) from your major subjects and watch some YouTube videos to get some insight. Make sure to master your craft and learn new things (Upskilling is very important, you'll thank yourself for it). Stay active! If you were/are physically active like hitting the gym while studying, continue gymming ( if you haven't started gymming, I urge you to start now or think of any activity you can do). Other areas in your life will align with having a daily routine.

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope this article can help youth that feels lost and looking for answers. Avoid being in a setting that deprives you of growth. Keep moving forward.