Leaving University can be a scary time for most people. Feeling anxious about your future is completely natural, but it’s important to know how to deal with this and make productive steps. Fortunately, there are several different options available, so you’ll always find something that’s suited to you. It’s important not to rush your decision and weigh up the pros and cons of each option before you decide which is right for you.
Here are some useful tips to help you deal with any anxiety you have about the future…
Look forward to the next chapter
Throughout life, you are likely to go through many exciting changes. Although it can seem daunting, change is often a good thing and it allows you to grow as a person. Try to look forward to the next chapter in your life, be proud of what you have achieved so far and what is still to come.
Talk to others in your position
Often, when you are worried about something, it can be good to talk to others that are in your position. Your friends will likely have the same worries as you about their futures and will have their own thoughts about what works for them. Creating a support network with other like-minded people can be a great way to help ease any anxieties that you have.
You don’t need to rush
Although there will likely be deadlines to meet for applications, making a big decision about your future shouldn’t be rushed. If you are looking to study again, remember that you don’t have to study straight away, so even an application deadline shouldn’t force you to make a decision before you’re ready. Make sure that you think all of your options through and discuss them with your friends and family before jumping into anything.
Accept that sometimes things won’t work out
Life is full of ups and downs. You’ve got to accept that sometimes the plans that you make won’t work out. If you don’t get the job you applied for, or even the grades you’d hoped for, it’s not the end of the world. If you experience hurdles, they’ll only make you stronger. Try and get as much feedback as possible and don’t let the hurdles put you off. If you keep a positive mindset, you’ll be more likely to succeed in the future.
Realise you can’t control everything
It can often be difficult to realise that you aren’t fully in control of what happens in the future. Worrying about things that are out of your control can be counterproductive. You cannot control exactly how your future pans out, but what you can control are the steps you take to help create the future you want. This means preparing for interviews, spending time on applications and taking control of the things that you can change.
Know that you’ll make friends whatever you decide to do
Regardless of the path that you choose to take after leaving university, you’ll always make new friends. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll likely encounter other people in the same situation as you. Many people worry that they’ll lose touch with their school friends, but often these are the friends that you keep throughout your entire life. You may choose different paths and make new friends along the way, but don’t think that just because school is over that your friendships are too.
Know the options that are available to you
It can be easy to be anxious over your future if you don’t know about the options that are available to you. The main routes that university graduates choose to go down include getting a job, choosing a graduate scheme, or further study within higher education.
Getting a job
Many university graduates are eager to earn money as soon as possible. As such, applying for graduate schemes and roles is incredibly competitive. It can be difficult to stand out with no experience, so consider applying for internships, placement years, volunteering and so on, before graduation to gain some work experience before graduating.
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Whatever you decide to do with your future, always make sure you’ve carefully considered all the options. Different options will be better for different people, so always choose the one that suits you best.