Ready, Set, Reality!
Once you have graduated in life, you have reached one of your peak moments in your academic or professional ladder. The graduation ceremony marks a fruitful end to years of education and the start of a new chapter. Being a graduate gives you a lot of confidence and motivation to step into life and embark on the journey of your professional endeavours. It can also support you and help you to reach your professional goals. However, with each graduation comes a set of changes and understandings. These changes can be anything from time to behaviour or perception.
At Hampers Galore, we truly understand the rush of emotions and the overwhelming change and new challenges a new graduate may have to conquer. From long distance to change in environment and priorities, graduates need to move ahead in their journey. Therefore, in this blog, our experts will be giving the new graduates in town a heads up with all the changes that they must be ready to explore as they graduate. We also bring to you a delicate collection of graduation hampers for all Graduates to motivate them and support them as they have achieved one of the biggest victories in their lives.
1. A Shift in Daily Routine
The first change that any graduate would notice is the shift in their routine and their timings. From what was once a chaotic rush of structured classes, lectures and endless Gaining sessions, your graduate is surely going to feel laid back and relaxed as they step into a world of flexibility. They could experience a less chaotic timeline where they can hunt for their jobs leisurely. Work may be structured, but it would only be dedicated to the working hours. As their job is all about practising their favourite subjects, this can be an enjoyable session after all. This freedom can be both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. You may miss your friends and all the memories that you have to leave behind as you graduate.
2. Financial Independence (and Pressure)
Another massive factor to keep in mind as you graduate is the financial independence that you may receive. You get your own money and plan your expenses just the way you want them to be. This involves everything from managing bills to monthly budgeting or even splitting your salary into equally distributed sectors to cover everything from mortgages to student loans and everyday expenses. A wise decision is to always ask your parents or a guardian for support to help you budget your salary according to your everyday needs. Make sure that you leave a few dollars for your personal entertainment, whether it is to see a movie or to treat yourself to your favourite pair of jeans. One of the first lessons at your job must be about your financial balance. Yes, there may be added pressure along with it. However, as you walk through life, you too may learn how to balance your finances well.
3. Re-evaluating Friendships
All the friendships that were once very meaningful and strong may be quite distant and further away after you graduate. This may not have any negative reason attached to it. Instead, it can simply mean anything from switching carrier parts to transferring into new cities or simply losing touch over a busy turn of life. One of the best ways to retain your friendship is through social media, where you can catch up with your friends' lives and be a part of the beautiful memories, such as weddings, engagements, promotions or other victories in life. Invite them and always be there for them as well. It is important that you nurture a meaningful collection even post graduation to keep up this strong relationship with your beloved friends and uni mates.
4. Mental Health Fluctuations
As you progress in life, there can be an attached level of anxiety, stress or simple pressure. This can be a common sign when facing novel situations in life. Always remember that there are people to support you, whether it is your friends, your family or your parents. Uncertainty can indeed trigger levels of anxiety or even imposter syndrome in some individuals. While this may fade away for most individuals over time, as you get the grip of life, some may need extensive help and support to come out of it. In such instances, do not fear to recommend yourself a good self-care routine or even therapy sessions for a one-on-one discussion with the professional. You can also walk into support groups in Australia to maintain a good relationship with yourself.
5. Job Market Realities
Unlike in schools and universities, the job market is a real battlefield. This is where you would have to portray your highest qualifications and skills. Get ready to accept the perfect balance of acceptance and rejection as you progress in your professional field. Rejection can be a result of anything, such as overqualification issues, Lack of experience, Underperformance or even your grades at university. Therefore, before you apply for the job, always be prepared to accept both rejection and approval. You may have to be resilient and manage your expectations, keeping it neutral, knowing that you may get it or not. However, regardless of the result, make sure that you are suitable for the job and be ready to prove yourself to your employers if they are happy to give you a chance.
6. Identity Shifts
Life can be challenging, and your professional life will definitely add to it. As you have been progressing over the years as an individual who has dedicated your valuable time to academics, you may often wonder who you are without the label of a student. Remember that this is a general phase that most students tend to face. It is important that you accumulate the courage to explore yourself, your interests and your preferences. Think about what you would like to do as a full-time job. Always be in the process of reinventing yourself and accepting growth as a natural function after being unique. Remember that knowledge is key, and experience will get you everywhere you want. Get ready to face a path filled with opportunities and challenges equally.
7. The Value of Time Changes
Unlike when you were at the University or at school, the value attached to your free time is more precious. You would often have to work to keep up a steady income and dedicate the rest of your hours to self care or to taking care of your family. You may often tend to forget how important it is to find some time just for yourself. Anything from quality time to self care or alone time is important for the better functioning of a human being. Remember that work-life balance or time management skills are what could get you there. Always make sure that you know that your work must end after office hours. Keep the rest for tomorrow and get back home to spend a beautiful evening with your family.
8. Newfound Freedom (with Responsibility)
Regardless of your free time and your responsibilities, remember that you have more control over your freedom than ever before. You can take more responsibilities and manage your time according to the way you want it to be. However, keep in mind that, unlike during university times, your newfound freedom comes at a strong price. There is no safety net, semesters or extensions that you must face before the actual exam. You must make the right decision and pre-plan your ideas to get a better understanding of the life ahead of you. The better you plan, the more empowered you are.
9. Learning Never Stops
Just because you're out of university does not mean that you have to stop. Learning or educating yourself in your trade or profession is quite important to give you more recognition, experience and more value to the job. Therefore, even though you have completed your university degree successfully, you can always opt for a postgraduate degree or additional professional degrees such as short courses, diplomas or vocational training. Be open minded and embrace lifelong learning wherever you get the opportunity to. Browse through areas that you think can build your career further. Talk to experts and professionals about knowledge-building sessions and gain on-the-job experience by working in teams or facing challenges that you can eventually solve. Make sure that you are the best at your trade, leaving no doubt or negative opinions about your work. Be humble enough to learn and wise enough to implement your strategies.
10. Your Definition of Success Will Evolve
Remember that success has a different definition once you graduate. It's not about gaining straight A's or being the first scoring pupil in class. It's more about experience, the capacity to handle pressure, creativity on the job, Strategic thinking and analytic skills, teamwork and team leading skills, the power to walk independently, or recognition within your trade. However, the interpretation of success can change over time as you evolve in your professional journey. What do you think success is to you right now? Why not think about it or talk to a person that you trust to gain the perfect level of success you need at every point in life?
Embrace the Change
One of our biggest pieces of advice and motivation for all graduates in Australia is to embrace all the different changes that you are facing as a new graduate entering the world of professional politics. Remember that being a graduate in the new world can often take you a little back by giving you fireballs of stress and anxiety. However, as you transform as an individual and evolve into a professional, you too may understand how to balance this professional. This change is not just for you. All individuals in every trade would face a paradigm shift of emotions and responsibilities as they transition into a different stage in life.
Remember to always be motivated and keep yourself motivated for a never-ending balance of work-life chores. You can choose to spend some time with your family or friends every now and then. Whether it is on a trip or a simple act of sharing a gift hamper with your loved ones, remember to make sure that you make the most out of it.
If you're looking for a gift for a new graduate in your circle, this blog is exactly why you should consider getting them a graduation hamper for a cheerful start. We have a classic collection of graduation hampers at Hampers Galore that you would love. We've included everything from Memorable keepsakes to alcohol and scrumptious gourmet snacks.
Visit us today at Hampers Galore and explore our exquisite range of Graduation Hampers, ready for you to gift to a new graduate in town. Order our graduation hampers today and get ready for the graduation season in Australia!
