27 Jan 2022
Overview
  • After high school, you will have a whole heap of people telling you what you should be doing at uni – here is my advice from a tried-and-true fresh uni graduate
  • From keeping your options open, participating in extracurricular and taking your time with your degree, you'll be setting yourself up with success!

Graduating high school and thinking that uni is the path for you? It’s not an easy decision for everyone straight outta high school–it is a long and expensive commitment that will fulfil your career goals and so, you want to be making the best possible decisions when it comes to your degree and units you choose.

Problem is, when starting uni, you don’t always know what the best decision is for you. You'll have a multitude of different people telling you what to do and what they say will vary.

As a fresh uni graduate, here are four pieces of advice that you should consider when starting your university journey based off of my experience:

Keep your options open

Maybe you know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your working life, which, well... that's freaking amazing. But I wouldn’t recommend locking it in as a sure thing. It is a competitive world out there and we aren’t all so lucky to get the job we set out studying for (especially for the first few years, at least). Keep your mind open to other jobs in your field that might pique your interest and consider what you would need for them when enrolling in classes.

When I started studying, I knew exactly what I wanted to do (be an author) and that’s all I studied for. But now that I’ve grown up a bit, I know that I can’t live off of a career as an author straight off the bat.But there are other writing jobs out there that interest me. My limited vision during uni has left me disadvantaged as it took me until my last two years to realise this. And now, when I am looking at other jobs, I wish I had taken some classes in journalism, media, public relation, or even marketing to be multi-qualified.

So, while pursuing your studies for your dream job is the goal, don’t discount taking other classes that could help qualify you for some other jobs. Who knows, maybe you’ll find something you enjoy even more.

Get extracurricular

If you are one of those people who believe extra-curricular activities are just distractions from their studies or don’t think they are worth their time, DO NOT SKIP THIS ONE. While extra-curricular activities are great if you want to be social, meet new people and make new friends, they are also an amazing opportunity to prepare for your career.

I didn’t get involved in an extra-curricular activity until my last semester (joining my university’s student magazine) and it was probably the highlight of my entire university experience. Not only was it fun writing about things unrelated to course marking guidelines, it ended up being my first marketable work experience and the beginning of my portfolio. I definitely regret not getting involved sooner.

So, if there is a club at your uni related to your studies or dream job, I would definitely recommend going for it.

The path to success is not a race

Maybe you’re someone with a very strict five-year plan and find it hard to adapt to change; you want to be graduated and working in your field, if not your dream job. While having a plan is great to keep you on track, don’t let this consume you. Be flexible with your plans, not just for other opportunities, but for your own wellbeing.

When I started studying, I wanted to be graduated in three years and an author by five, so I studied full-time. The first half of my degree was okay because I wasn’t doing anything but in the second half, I got a part-time job. I quickly became overwhelmed by how much I had on my plate. All I did was work and study with no time for myself or anyone else. I became stressed, burned out and was turned off by studying real quick. If anything, uni is a marathon so take your time with things. You have the rest of your life to figure everything else out!

Don't overload yourself

If you find yourself anything like me, try lightening your load. Maybe part-time studying is more your pace or a break, like a gap year, might be just what you need after 13 years of schooling. Nothing bad is going to happen if you take a little longer than originally planned. Life, especially in your younger years, is supposed to be enjoyable, so make sure you take the time to live while you study.

Written By Tori Barendregt