So you’ve graduated today. Congratulations! After years of hard work, making new friends, sleepless nights, stress, treasured memories and a lot of fun, you’ve finally made it to the finish line. So what’s next?
Some of you may already have jobs lined up to start as soon as you’re done. Some of you might not be sure what you want to do next. But chances are, a good amount of you are feeling a bit lost. But don’t worry, let us guide you.
Postgraduate studies
It always seems like getting into a job is the obvious thing to do after graduation, but it doesn’t have to be. You could pursue further education if you want to truly master what you’ve already studied, or focus on something you didn’t get a chance to explore during undergrad. It’s a second chance to follow your passions and get a better foundation for your career. Maybe the degree offerings you find might not seem like enough. But there are degrees that you have not even heard of that might offer a perfect combination of your passions and skill – set and you just have to look hard to find them. Either way, pursuing further studies is a way to extend your university life for a bit longer while having a chance to do something different with it.
Work
Of course, working is probably the most common thing people do after graduation. It might be daunting to enter into a completely different kind of life with experienced peers around you. But in fact, you will also meet a lot of graduates similar to you and you won’t have to go through it alone. Working is a great way to get some experience and apply everything you’ve learned in university in a practical way. Maybe you can look for work in completely new places as a way to have some change and excitement in your life. If nothing else, you start earning your own money and that feels very rewarding.
Time Off
Why not take some time off after graduation to figure out your next steps are? It’s completely fine to not have something to do straight after graduating. Perhaps you could travel for a bit and meet new people or volunteer in different countries? Or you could do that thing you’ve been putting off during university, like picking up the guitar or writing that interesting story! Or immerse yourself in different experiences with your free time so you get closer to understanding what you want to do next. Regardless, some time off will give you a clearer perspective of where you are in life and where you want to be in future.
Contrary to popular belief, a lot of students feel lost and unsure of what they’re doing after graduation and taking the time off to figure it out puts you ahead and helps you achieve some clarity.
Whatever path you decide, remember to not be afraid of new things and experiences. They might end up being among the best decisions you’ve ever made. Feel free to share with us what you are planning on doing after graduation below, we’d love to hear from you!
