I’ve had my own fair share of ‘God, what next after this?’ : the countless why’s, the when’s.
Moments when it all comes crashing down, and you’re walking in town and suddenly your vision is clouded (by tears) and you’re praying so hard nobody notices them.
Moments when, the cashier at the supermarket asks ‘Nikuwekee carrier bag?’ and that simple question ironically stirs up so many emotions with it, and yet again you’re having a breakdown.
Being done with school is an amazing feeling…. You’re excited about it, about wearing that graduation cap and gown, being done with projects and exams. You’re hopeful about what the future holds, y’know. You’ve created these endless possibilities in your mind….. And then the uncertainty kicks in.
In all honesty, the uncertainty that gnaws at you when you realize you’re done with school is worse than what I’ve faced before.
Today’s post is for you who’s going through what I currently am, and for anyone who’ll go through it in the near future. (PS these are words from a friend of mine, and I hope they ease you up a bit)
ONE: It’s completely normal to feel like the uncertainty just isn’t giving you any stability, in your life and even your career.
BREATHE! That’s all I say, breathe. First, because the school-work transition isn’t a period, it’s a process. Why? Because until you get that internship or a job, one’s still technically in transition to getting that work-life stability after school. So don’t try to rush it.
And as much as you shouldn’t rush it, always have a plan. A plan A and a plan B. Plan B, if the first option takes a while to come through, what will you do? A plan B is important so that time doesn’t also pass you by if plan A doesn’t come to you as soon as you expect it to.
TWO: Make meaningful connections and engage with them purposefully. Consider where you want to work, and narrow down on it. Which area? Which people do you look up to in that field? What’s trending in that field? What are you doing to stay relevant there?
THREE: Invest in yourself. Learn something new in your desired field, DAILY. Do extra courses, read regularly and widely. Accumulate knowledge in such a way that you can hold conversations with a variety of people from different professional backgrounds. Usikuwe unasema tu waaaah, haiyaaa, you mean when people are discussing.
FOUR: Talk. Talk to other people who have been where you are now. Ask them how they navigated this phase. You’ll realize that sometimes your solution lies with another, only if you are willing to listen and puck what works for you.
FIVE: ENJOY YOUR SEASON! Have fun almost as much as you work hard. Be happy. Be healthy. Guard your peace of mind and never let yourself be cheated out of your aspirations.
If you travel for fun, be responsible about it and do it.
Always remember, maintaining focus is equally important as relaxing in life.
