If you’re looking at the prospects of choosing a uni course, moving away from home, and devoting your time to study, then you might feel like the walls are closing in on you a little. While it’s not all that grim, there’s no denying that your opportunities to have all manner of experiences are going to start narrowing once you get into university.
As such, here are a few ways to broaden your horizons and go to uni feeling more confident, competent, and worldwide.
Get Some Work Experience
There’s nothing to say that it has to be the case that you attend uni before you enter the world of work. If you’ve never had so much as a part-time job, it can be especially valuable to learn a little independence before you head off.
What’s more, you might be able to sidestep the stereotypical life of the broke student by working for a year before you dedicate yourself fully to your education, and you can develop a professional mindset that will help you once it’s time to start working for real.
Do Some Good
You can be productive for the sake of more than just your personal gain, as well. If you have a cause that you want to devote some energy to, then finding volunteering opportunities could be just the thing that you need. Of course, working with a volunteering organization can also be helpful for your career, both in teaching your life skills and in helping you beef up your resume a little further.
You might even be able to network through the volunteering opportunities that you find.
See More Of The World
The potentially saddening truth is that you are never going to have as much freedom and as big an opportunity to travel without restraints as when you are young. Even if you get a well-paying job that you get time off from, you still have responsibilities to get back to.
Whether you go backpacking or take the time to travel with student trips abroad, you should think about seeing more of the world before you get into university. It can help you get out of your comfort zone, which is important because you’re likely going to be moving away from it soon if you’re living in halls or student accommodation.
Try Your Own Projects
Whether it’s starting a business, writing your own blog, making a website, or even trying to create a product that you have an idea for, you don’t need to go to uni right now if you have an idea that you can start pursuing. Consider giving yourself a year to chase your own projects and see if you can make substantial progress before the year is up. Even if it doesn’t follow through, it’s still a valuable experience.
There’s nothing wrong with going to university directly from school with no gaps or breaks in between. However, there’s also no need to rush if you want to experience a different side of life.
