75% of students get really nervous before college graduation. The thought of taking responsibility for their life and accountability for their future may be quite scary. But, why should it be?

Not prepared to face life after school? Not prepared of an uncertain future? Not well equipped for success outside the walls of the university? Not prepared to stop receiving pocket money and allowances from parents? Not prepared to be on your own? Not prepared to learn all it takes to be successful in life?

Related: The Perks for Online Education and Why You Need to Enroll

It’s quite sad that majority of graduates today are not prepared to face life after school? We take too much thought into preparing a child to go through school than we do preparing them for real life experiences.

Funny enough, life doesn’t wait for anyone, neither does it wait until you are prepared. It will drill you, stretch you, push and hit you hard till you learn what it takes to be on top in life.

Below, we have shared five major things you should consider doing before your graduation.

Write Down Your CV and Business Plan

I wrote my first CV when I was in 200 level, then there was this Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike happening and in order to put my time to a productive use, I volunteered to work at my Aunt’s office. I visited the office three times a week and I wasn’t paid a dime but guess what? That working experience qualified me for my first job right after school. It also connected me to great and resourceful people, including other paid opportunities. I learnt how to write a good CV and business plan in good time, and it has profited me in many ways. It’s not too early to acquire that skill, you should start now. Time waits for nobody.

Volunteer

Look around you for productive activities and engage with them. Learn digital skills, attend those academic conferences and seminars, take online courses to enhance your knowledge, get exposed to the world around you, volunteer for lead experts and thought leaders. Just do something to add value to yourself, don’t sit idle. You never can tell what opportunity may come knocking through it.

Related: Free Online Courses and Study Sites to Learn From

Network

Get involved in a social cause, be nice and friendly. Get out of your comfort zone, let people know you are looking. The internet has made things quite easy for us all – use social media to your advantage.

Your network is your net worth.

I have gotten several opportunities, and connections to great people via social media without even having to meet them. My best platforms are Twitter, LinkedIn and IG – maximize these tools to favor you. Feel free to also stalk people and leave valuable comments on their page once in while. Be careful of what you share on your page and the news you pass around. People are watching you including your possible recruiter. Lol!

Start Something Meaningful

I wish someone sounded this forcefully into my ears back but no one did. May be because I felt I was still under my parents, but little did I know that I will soon be left on my own. And now, I don’t want you to make the same mistake. You are not to young to make a difference, you are not to young to start something, you are not too young to be a force to reckon with. Take responsibility for your life.

Life is 100% your responsibility.

A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. – Proverbs 24:33-34

Now is the time to start something worthwhile and meaningful. If you need to start a blog, then do it. If you need to start an NGO or business, start now. If you need to write a book, write it now. You don’t have to wait to have it all put together. You can start with what you have right where you are. Act on your dreams and work to bring them to life, stop waiting for perfect moments.

Believe In yourself

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You are capable of anything if you believe and take action. Grow, develop yourself, and embrace who you are as a person. Create the kind of life that you desire.

Life is what you make out of it.

If you don’t believe in yourself, no one will. If you don’t own up to who are you and build capacity for a better you, no one will shove it down your throat. If you put your mind into anything, it is possible.

Did you recently graduate from college? What’s next for you? Are you job hunting? Are you an entrepreneur? What challenges have you encountered so far? What seems to work and what seems not to? Share your thoughts with us.

P.S – If you already did all that is mentioned above before graduating from school, then kudos to you – You are the real graduate.

Missed any of the following posts? You can still catch up here!

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