SALC Blog Contributor Sofia Brooke has written seven great tips on life after University!

The end of semester two also marks the end of many students’ time at Manchester. Whether continuing in higher education in the next academic year or going into work, finishing university can be daunting for many students. However, there are ways of managing this uncertainty of shifting into a new life phase. Below there are seven tips on how to prepare for life after finishing an undergraduate degree.

1. Take time to rest

The pressure of finding a job straight after university is a reality for many students. However, it is important to understand that you have just finished an intense academic year of writing essays, preparing and taking exams and completing a dissertation. Taking a rest over summer is important for you to recharge and to reflect on your next steps.

2. Keep in contact with your university friends

There is no doubt that you have formed strong friendships at university. However, going from seeing friends and interacting with your university community everyday to moving back home where you are potentially split from your social circles can leave you feeling isolated. So make sure that you’re keeping in contact with your university friends in any way possible. Weekly or monthly calls and scheduling meet-ups are great ways of maintaining these friendships and reducing the sense of isolation that moving back home can bring.

3. Find a new hobby

 It is likely that during your time at Manchester you have joined many societies and engaged in a range of activities across campus to learn new skills and meet new people. Finishing university does not mean that you are automatically cut off from continuing to join new groups and learn new things! Don’t be afraid to join local groups like running or book clubs that help you find a new hobby and create a support network similar to that at university. This will make the transition less isolating.

4. Create a daily routine

For graduates looking for jobs, it can feel overwhelming constantly applying for jobs. Establishing a daily routine is a great way of easing this pressure. For example, you could start your morning with some exercise, then schedule certain hours of the day to search for jobs or research possible career paths and finish the day with a fun activity like reading.

5. Update your LinkedIn

If you have been neglecting your LinkedIn, now is the time to update it and fill it with any valuable experiences or achievements (including your degree). Not only is this a great way of improving your job prospects by appealing to hiring companies but also gives you perspective on everything you have achieved during university.

6. Join career networks

From Facebook to LinkedIn there are hundreds of careers networks online that can help you find job postings. The University of Manchester has many for recent graduates. In addition, remember to sign up to CareerConnect through the university using your personal email to continue receiving job listings after graduation.

7. Sign up for a career mentor

Navigating the job market as a recent graduate can leave you feeling lost. However, Manchester University is continuing to support recent graduates with its new Graduate Career Mentoring programme which runs this summer. This is a great opportunity for summer 2024 graduates to gain advice from an industry professional on preparing for your next steps after university.

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