Going out of school is entering into a totally new world. You're very much exhilarated, relieved, and maybe with a little echo of fear; honestly, that is normal. One minute you're surrounded with fellow students, notes, and the school bell, and in the very next minute, you have to figure out your future paths all by yourself with almost no one instructing you on how real life works.
On a more practical note, schools can bestow darn nice certificates on you but don't really prepare you for life. The kind of school that does not train you to face rejection, or to spend time behind the bars looking for a job, or to budget your first paycheck. It doesn't teach you how to reboot your life when plan A is strong and plan B just means "depends on" vibes and hope.
So, if I could sit down with someone just leaving school, I’d say: learn to be flexible. Life won’t go the exact way you imagined. You may not land your dream job immediately. Sometimes you'll even wind up in a field you never planned for-and that's all right. What matters is your willingness to learn and adapt. Build skills outside your degree. Try freelancing, intern even if it doesn’t pay much, or volunteer just to gain experience. It adds up. The earlier you understand that your value comes not just from your grades but from what you can actually do, the better.
Start learning how money works too. The minute you earn your first pay whether it's from a side gig or your first job don’t blow it on the urge to “enjoy.” Save something, no matter how small. Learn how to budget, and don’t let peer pressure make you live a life you can’t afford. That guy with the designer shoes might still be begging for data at the end of the month.
Also, your mindset matters more than you realize. Life after school isn’t just about ticking off achievements. There will be moments when things don’t go your way. Times you’ll feel behind or not good enough. You have to remind yourself that your journey is yours. Growth is personal. This just won't work. Let us just say Chapter 1 is not even attainable to compare with another person's Chapter 10. Invest in yourself; read, ask questions, make mistakes, and be open to correction.
Changes will begin within relationships. Some school friends will fade away; others will surprise you with their support. Let it all go naturally. Protect your peace. Opt for people who nurture you rather than those who buoy you. Intentionality counts in both dating and friendship. Don't look for attention. Look for substance. Become the kind of person you'd love to be with.
And don’t forget to rest. There’s this rush to “make it” fast, to show off results, to impress the internet. But it’s okay to go at your own pace. Rest is part of progress. Hustle, yes but not at the cost of your mental health.
Leaving school is the beginning of real education. Out here, life courses without a cultivation bell: it will test your resilience or it will test your patience. Maybe it might test your ability to keep standing when the future is unsure. But you are to grow; you are to learn. One day, the reflection might set in, and you will discover that all those awkward steps of going forward were worth it.
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