Graduation: The beginning of freedom, or the end of an era?
Chances are, it’s both. And no matter what you decide to do after you graduate, the difference between post-uni success and failure can come down to one all-important thing – planning.
To help you to deal with life after getting your degree in the right way, here’s our comprehensive post-university checklist:
Check your finances
Your money situation is undoubtedly going to change after you graduate. Unfortunately, it might not always be for the better.
A life without student loans, discounts on your favourite clothes, or cheap nights out will take its toll on your bank balance. That is, if you don’t adapt your lifestyle.
Whether you get a job straight after graduating, or you’ve got a few income-free months ahead while you job hunt or travel, learning how to budget effectively is vital.
After all, there may be a few things you didn’t have to pay whilst at university (e.g. council tax) – and even if you’re earning more than you were while you were studying, the additional costs can add up.
Remember: you’ll need to start student loan repayments as soon as you’re earning over 21k, so be sure to factor this into your monthly budget.
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Plan your living situation
As with most aspects of graduating, everyone’s post-uni living situation is likely to be different.
For some graduates, moving home might be the best option, while others may choose to continue house sharing, find their own place, or go travelling.
But planning with your own circumstances in mind is the best way to ensure you don’t end up in a last-minute house hunting stress – not to mention, homeless. To make sure you make the right choice, always take everything else into account (e.g. your work situation, available funds, cost of living, and preferred location).
Because no matter what you choose to do, your future living situation definitely isn’t something that should be decided on impulse.
Only keep what you need
Take your inevitable move after graduating as an opportunity to do a clear out.
After around three years of university, it’s likely that you’ve accumulated a lot of ‘stuff’. And whether it was necessary for your studies, or you just forgot you’d kept it – chances are, not everything you find in the corners of your wardrobe is going to be a life essential from here on out.
In other words, novelty t-shirts, old textbooks, and various fancy dress outfits dating back three years might take up more space than they’re worth. After all, is ‘time-dependent density-functional theory’ really something you’re ever going to read about again?
Then, you can use the space (and money) you’ve created to collect things you’ll actually need after graduating. Professional clothes, a good laptop, and a proper portfolio, will all be helpful for your upcoming job search or new graduate position.
Ask your lecturers for references
Even if you’re not planning on job hunting straight away, getting references sooner rather than later is always a good idea.
As a recent graduate, your university experience is probably going to be your strongest selling point when you’re looking for a job. And although you might have had part-time employers to use as references – your professors are likely to be the ones to give the most accurate representation of your capabilities in relation to your preferred career path.
Not only will putting a reference request in ASAP mean that you and your performance is fresh in your professors’ minds, it’ll also ensure you avoid missing out completely when lecturers leave campus during the summer.
Make sure your details are up-to-date
Whether it’s by updating your CV and cover letter to place more emphasis on your degree, creating a professional email address, or simply by joining the right job board (ahem) to make sure you’re visible to recruiters – it’ll all help you to get a head-start in your job search.
Remember: an updated and fully completed profile or CV will not only show recruiters you’re proactive, it’ll also represent your most current and relevant skills accurately.
The same goes for updating your social media profiles. You might be surprised at how many employers check candidates’ online presence before hiring, so use yours to your advantage.
And don’t keep those embarrassing photos public. You know, just in case…
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