University life is an experience that will change your life. This is the place where you will truly find yourself; academically and personally. It is no wonder it can be challenging.
And after graduation, one is thrust into the busy world to fend for themselves. So, while it is a good idea to enjoy your time at the university, it is an even better idea to make sure that you are preparing for that post-graduation challenge.
Here are seven things everyone should do before graduation because they will make things easier for you when the time comes.
Open a bank account: In this modern era, financial transactions have become easier. One can use their phones and mobile financial services to make transactions these days but keep in mind that banks have evolved too. More importantly, having a bank account is imperative for a number of reasons. For one thing, it creates a sense of urgency about saving. For another, whenever you achieve a scholarship, stipend or something similar, you will need a personal bank account for that transaction. It is a good idea to open a student or specialised bank account while you are still a student.
Getting your passport issued: Maybe you are planning to study abroad. Maybe you are thinking of travelling to a neighbouring country for a quick break. Maybe you need a passport for an application to somewhere or something. Or maybe none of these applies to you. Either way, if you can spare the money, get your passport before graduating. You never know when you might need it. It is better to have a passport and not need it than need it and not have it. Also, running to the passport office multiple times after you get into a job can be a big inconvenience.
Get your information in order: Do you have your name and information correctly in all your educational certificates and ID cards? Even if you have them all in order, chances are you know someone who doesn’t. If you fall into this group, act promptly. Ask around and apply immediately to get your information in order. These things can take time. You can spare some time while you are still studying but free time will become rare when you are working full time. Besides, mismatch of information on your certificates and educational documents might become an issue when you are applying for jobs. The wisest thing to do is to get them fixed before your graduation.
Prepare a resume: Many students make the mistake of not creating a resume simply because they are not actively looking for a job. A resume is one of the most important things for your career. An attractive resume can land you your dream job while a poorly executed resume will make a bad impression that may cost you a valuable chance. Do not wait till your graduation to create a resume. Write a resume today with whatever qualification and experience you have. Then reach out to a senior and ask them for suggestions for improving it. The earlier you start making your resume, the more time you will have to improve it.
Learn to cook: It really does not matter who you are; if you eat then you should know how to cook. And since everyone eats, everyone should learn how to cook. Whether one lives at a dormitory or at home with their parents, everyone should master basic cooking skills before graduating. Cooking is not a specialised skill; it is a basic life skill. We are not asking you to recreate Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Wellington. We are only suggesting that it is a good idea to learn the basic cooking skills so that you can fend for yourself in tough times.
Cultivate a skill: Soft skills are important but so are hard skills and they add value to your resume depending on what position you are applying for. While soft skills will depend on your personality, hard skills can be acquired and perfected with practice. If one starts learning a hard skill while they are still a student, with continuous practice they will only get better. One may learn important skills such as learning to operate different types of software, gain technical skills, skills required for research work and other skills required in the field you are interested to work in.
Join a club: Many see extracurricular activities as a waste of time and argue that they are pointless. But the truth is that engagements with clubs and extracurricular activities enrich your resume. For introverts, joining and maintaining a club can be quite a challenge but it will be worth it. Whether it is photography, book club, volunteering group, research club or anything else that interests you, join a club. Club engagements are viewed as an added qualification in many job applications as well as scholarship considerations. Keep in mind that it is an uphill battle after you graduate. Those who have been preparing for a while before graduation will certainly get advantage in this battle. It does not take much time to prepare yourself for such small tasks but they can really go a long way.