Graduating from university is an exciting time. All your hard work has finally paid off. That being said, there’s no denying that it can also be a difficult time. Suddenly, you need to think of what to do next, and that can feel like a massive decision.
Luckily, there are plenty of things for you to do when you’ve graduated from university, so you’re sure to find something that works for you. To learn more about your options, keep reading.
Get a job
Of course, the most obvious course of action to take once you’ve finished university is to look for a job, ideally in your field. However, this is harder than you may think.
While a qualification from a university will certainly help you in your job search, you might find that it can be hard to find a job, especially if you don’t have any experience. Don’t give up, though. There are many things that can help you secure a job even if you’re fresh out of university.
These include setting up a good resume, having good references, and being open to available opportunities. You may also find it helpful to follow this career advice for graduates.
Travel
People often want to travel, but it’s hard to do when you’re studying. Similarly, if you’re working, you might not be able to get enough time off to travel the world.
While there may be some exceptions, most people don’t have any serious responsibilities or commitments when they finish university, which means it’s the perfect time for them to spread their wings and experience a new part of the world.
If everyone else is studying some more or starting to work, you might feel as if that’s what you should be doing as well, but keep in mind that traveling can be just as fulfilling as either of those things.
Further your studies
Perhaps you’re sad that your studies have ended because you enjoyed them so much. Just because you’ve completed your first qualification doesn’t mean you have to stop studying. In fact, many people love studying so much that they end up going into the field of academia so that they can constantly be learning new things.
You can do a short course to learn a new skill, you can study a new qualification in an entirely different field, or you can complete your postgraduate studies in the field you’ve graduated from.
Keep in mind that this isn’t the best option for everyone, so you might want to do some research to determine whether postgraduate studies are for you.
Work on your hobbies
Many of us have hobbies and things that we are passionate about. Unfortunately, it is often the case that people stop doing the things they love once they start university because they just don’t have the time.
Now that you’ve graduated, you probably have some free time on your hands, so there’s no better time to dive back into the waters. Making time for the things you love is a valuable skill that you can carry with you for the rest of your life, so it’s a good idea to start doing that now.
Volunteer
If you’re not ready to enter the workforce and you’re undecided on whether you want to continue pursuing further studies, you should consider volunteering. This way, you aren’t wasting your time.
You’re doing some good in the world, and likely learning some new skills. Plus, it will give you some purpose every day to know that you have somewhere to be. Not to mention the fact that it will look great on your resume. Most people would love to volunteer, but they don’t have the time.
That’s why this is the perfect time to do it – if you’re not working or studying, you likely don’t have any other serious commitments, which means you can dedicate your time to volunteering. There are also many benefits of volunteering, so it’s a good way to pass the time.
Apply for an internship
As mentioned, it can be hard to get a job in your field, especially if you have no work experience. So, if you can land an internship, it’s a great place to start.
Most internships are either unpaid or they pay very little, but don’t let this dismay you. There are many reasons why you should apply for an internship. Not only will you gain work experience, but you may also get a reference or two out of your internship. Not to mention that, if you work hard, your employer may turn that internship into a proper job.
Take a gap year
Many people take a gap year between high school and university, but it’s also a good idea to take a gap year between when you finish university and when you start work. After all, once you join the workforce, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to take a whole year off again.
While there are many ways to fill your gap year – which we talk about in this post – there’s also nothing wrong with just taking some time to rest. Studying at a university places a lot of strain on people, and it can even affect their mental health, so taking some time to recover can be a good idea.
You can spend this time catching up with people, researching options for your future, and reading these books that everyone should read.
In conclusion
The adjustment period after graduating from university can be a strange time to navigate, which is even more true because many people may feel like they are in different stages of their lives.
While society may try to tell you that your life needs to follow a specific path, that’s not necessarily true. There’s more than one option for what you can do after graduating from university, so you need to think about which path would be best for you.
Keep in mind that there’s no reason for you to have your entire life planned at this exact moment – you can try different things and see what works for you.
