You finally did it – you made it to the final semester of uni! Real life is officially mere months away. But that’s the thing, isn’t it? It’s March. For all the early twentysomethings, the real world is HERE. Some of your friends have the rest of their lives planned out. Some of your friends have no plans at all. Your parents’ friends are all asking, “So, what are you doing after graduation?” Cue the nervous laughter.
When you’re caught in the whirlwind of coursework, pub nights, exams, and friendships that permeate student experience, life after graduation feels like a million miles away. As a postgraduate student, I’m a few years removed from my graduation, but this year I’m back in the shoes of all the undergrads as I’m graduating with my Master’s this year. For the students in their final year of uni, here are my top takeaways and bits of advice for entering the real world.
Pause to Breathe
The options after graduating are endless, but they don’t have to be scary! You can travel, continue your academic career, get a job, write a book, or pursue another incredible opportunity. An ancient Chinese proverb says that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Take time to ask yourself what you really want to do, then find ways to move towards that goal. Right before I graduated, I had long-term life goals but wasn’t sure what direction I would take regarding a job.
Achieve The Dream Job™
One lesson I didn’t learn until my fourth year of uni was that you usually don’t land your dream job straight out of undergrad. It’s completely amazing if you do, but I certainly didn’t. However, the organization for whom I worked for several years helped me realize and clarify the direction I truly wanted to go. I remember someone telling me that my first job didn’t have to be my forever job, and that removed so much pressure to have my life immediately figured out. Sometimes an opportunity you’re less excited about can propel you forward in ways you wouldn’t expect. Your dream job never has to be just a dream – get out and chase it!
Beef Up Your CV
This tip is simple and easy. Whether you’re applying to universities or jobs, you can never start on your CV too early. Clarity is king when it comes to readability, so pick a clear typeface (I love Serifs or Sans-serifs) and show off your accomplishments. Add a quick blurb underneath each of your jobs and internships, list your undergrad involvements and leadership roles, and maybe even add a personality profile to include tests like DISC, Myers-Briggs, or Enneagram! I’m about to start the hunt for jobs myself, and I’ve begun using LinkedIn much more than I used to.
Soak It All In
Not everything has to be about the future. Your final semester is all about embracing traditions, staying up all night with your best friends, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. You’ll forget how hard the essays were, but you’ll never forget chasing adventures and working towards your dreams. Do what you’ve always wanted to do while in uni. Wake up for that early summer sunrise. Go backpacking through Europe before getting a job. Let yourself chase what you really want. For myself, chasing what I want means working on my novel slowly but surely until it’s finished and (hopefully) published. There aren’t too many St Andrews traditions to embrace as a postgraduate, but you’ll likely find me in the sea for the May Dip!
Jumping into the North Sea won’t clarify your future, but it will leave you with a fun anecdote or two to share with your future colleagues. No matter what direction you decide to walk, trust yourself and go for it! Remind yourself that graduation is the start of an exciting new chapter, not the end of everything fun. Cherish these next few months, fourth-years — you’re close to the finish line! As wonderful as St Andrews is, I hope this next chapter is even more wonderful and success-filled.