How To Manage Your Expectations As A Graduate

Graduating is a massive achievement that you should be hugely proud of. All the hard work paid off! Now that you’ve completed your course, you’ll be turning your attention to life after university. While this is a hugely exciting time full of potential opportunities, it can also be a little daunting and overwhelming.

You’ll no doubt be asking yourself a million questions. What job should I get? How much money can I earn? Where will I live? Where are my friends going? You may have put pressure on yourself to be living your best life straight after graduation, but this often isn’t realistic.

Here are a few tips that will help you to manage your expectations as a graduate.

1. I need to find my dream job NOW

Of course, many of us have an idea of what our dream job looks like. While it’s important to have a goal to work towards, landing the perfect role straight away may be unrealistic. Instead, browse online for entry level roles that will give you an insight into the jobs available in the industry you’re interested in. Not only is this a realistic way to break into a great career, entry levels jobs will also help you establish whether you actually enjoy the industry or not. After all, we can often have a picture in our head of what something will be like, and the reality can be quite different.

If you have no idea what you want to do, that’s ok too. It can take a while to figure out the right path. Be patient and try a few different roles. That way, you’re sure to find one you really love.

2. I need immediate financial stability

So, as a student, you’re probably familiar with strict budgeting and borrowing from the bank of mum and dad. Once you’ve got a job and started earning money, you shouldn’t put pressure on yourself to be well off straight away. Regardless of your salary, your focus should be on learning how to manage your finances properly, as this will lead to a healthy financial future. Take the time to get to understand all your outgoings v your income and set yourself a realistic monthly budget. Being self-sufficient can be costly, so it’s important to manage your money effectively to avoid spending beyond your means.

3. I need to live independently straight away

So, you may have got used to leading an independent (ish) life at university – living in a house with your friends, cooking your own food, coming and going as you please. You may want to maintain this lifestyle after you graduate but finding the funds to do so can be tricky.

You may need to move back into your family home for a while until you gain the financial stability to go it alone. Or, if you’re moving away from home to another city for work, then consider renting a room in a house share instead of getting your own place. Not only can this be more cost effective, but you might also meet some great new friends in the process!

Finally, try not to compare yourself to others. Everyone’s path is different, so don’t feel like you must keep up with the pace of your friends or family. Go at your own speed, do what feels right for you, and the success will come.