You've been there before, or actually, you've been HERE before. You're a little bit, how shall we say it, stuck. You've earned the degree. Worn the gown. Got the paper and entered the real, harsh realities of the real world and to be quite frank about it all, you're not quite sure of where to go from here. You might be totally regretting what you chose to study for your degree, you might be itching to get stuck back into the whole study thing or you might hate your dead end job and are finally plucking up the courage to go after your dream career. Whatever the reason, I say 'go for it'. Here's how to navigate life after your degree and how to figure out your next step:
1) Remember that you're always looking to get a step closer to your dream career.
Everyone leaves college the first time around with a bundle of ideas, hopes and dreams of where they want to go or who they want to be. The opportunities and possibilities are endless and there's seemingly no limit to where you can go from here. Then reality sets in and with it, an impending sense of doom. Many of us spend time stumbling around in the dark, hoping, wishing, bargaining for the kind of life we want to have when really, all that it takes to set yourself upon your ideal career path is a clear goal and a hell of a lot of motivation. Seriously, take an hour, write down your goals, do a little research and get things moving in the right direction.
2) And surely you owe it to yourself to do what you're really passionate about?
Look, life is tough. People can be harsh and hurtful. Days can be long. Money can be tight and things can sometimes occur out of the blue and flip things upside down, without any warning. So, why make life that bit more unbearable by suffering through life and indeed, a job you can't stand? That's not necessary, plain and simple. You and only you are in charge of your own destiny so grab life by the scruff of the neck and get things moving!
3) Going back to college is always an amazing experience, age or experience aside.
College may typically be associated with 18-year-olds, recklessness and first times for everything, but that doesn't always have to be the case. College is for anyone who wants to learn and better themselves, plain and simple. From 17-70, there's no stopping you from achieving pretty much anything you set your mind to, academically or otherwise. There's no point in letting something as irrelevant as fear hold you back. Maynooth University offers a wide range of postgraduate programmes to cater for all manner of needs and interests, so start planning for tomorrow, today and pop along to their open evening.
4) You don't want to look back and regret your choices.
Life's too short for petty little regrets. Personally, there's nothing that annoys me quite as much as people who live by the 'I should have' or 'why didn't I' motto in life? I'm not sure, WHY didn't you? There's no time for half efforts and bullshitty excuses anymore, you're an adult now, my friend, stop making petty how's and why's and just do what you reckon will make you proud of yourself a few years down the line. Forget everyone else's opinions on the matter at hand, this is about you and you only.
5) Money doesn't have to be the be all and end all of your dreams.
Undoubtedly many people put their studying dreams on the backburner due to money woes and worries about how to fund themselves throughout a financial slump. The excuses and woes end here because there is always, always a way through this, a solution and a means of achieving your dreams, excuses and all aside. Maynooth University, for example, offers some first class financial aid to students who seek it out, and with a helping hand like that, what's holding you back?
6) Furthering your studies will in turn, further your mind.
It's true what they say, you know. Some of the most open-minded people in the world are the most educated, the most qualified and the most well read. So to really know and in turn, understand people, then you need to know and understand the world in which they (and therefore, you) live, work and communicate. Studying, researching and ideally, travelling the world is the best way in which to do this, so get on your bike pal. Meet you at the top!
7) You'll have so many chances to meet new, exciting and like-minded people from the world over.
The older we get the fewer people we tend to bond with, but you should really attempt to buckle that trend and mingle, mingle, mingle. College brings both people and minds together and helps you to create and share experiences like no other. Through the tough learning processes, the late nights, the group projects and the stresses, come great friendships and great times, not to mention numerous bonds that just can't be broken via time or anything else for that matter. Did someone say 'group project'?
8) Focused, real study and learning is always great prep for the real, working world.
Hard work isn't easy (clue's in the name) and can often go unrewarded or unnoticed. It's hard to prepare yourself for this future slog but by pushing yourself into a routine and a pattern of study and learning, you'll reap the work rewards way down the line. Financially, personally and in every other aspect too, hopefully. The only thing that stands between you and greatness is your mind. Be the very best version of you, be someone that you can be proud of and most of all, be MORE.
So now that you're hopefully on the edge of your educated little seat, it's time to consider your next step into the big, bad world of all things education. If a Postgrad sounds like the right choice for you, then check out all that Maynooth University has to offer. Where else will you get a dedicated University town (nowhere, just FYI), a rep of 'the highest student satisfaction in 2015' and unparalleled resources, right at your fingertips?
For more information, pop along to their open evening on February the 23rd and sign up here to head along and feel informed. See you there!
