If you’re one of the thousands of university students graduating this year, congratulations! You’ve probably endured more than your fair share of exam periods, stress-ridden group assessments and last minute essays.

As your studies end, people will begin asking about your next step. Some graduates will be ready to answer; they might have secured a job while finishing their degree, have a summer internship lined up, or even have plans to continue with university.

However, it’s completely okay to not know which direction you’re going to take, and in fact some uncertainty can be good for someone who is still figuring out who they are.

Take Some Time For Yourself 

If you went straight into university from high school, you would have been studying for the best part of 20 years. Why not allow yourself some time to unwind, and veg out while you figure out the next step?

There’s something comforting about moving home after university, and being back in the family home or around people who care about you. This means that when you do manage to land your dream job, or figure out what you want to do in life, you’ll be recharged and ready to power forward. 

Figure Out Your Passions

In the whirlwind of Year 12, it can be hard to know what career path you want to go down. You’re still only a kid, and are expected to make massive life decisions! Not everyone has the same interests and ideas for their future as their 18-year-old self.

Take some time after graduating to think about what would really make you happy, and use that as your motivation to get on the right track. 

Travel While You Have The Chance

Before you settle into full time work, use the time after graduation to experience the world. Many jobs only come with four weeks of holidays a year, which makes it hard to coordinate travel plans and make the most of being young and full of energy.

As well as being heaps of fun, travelling is also a great way to gain some invaluable life experience. The friends you make and the things you experience might help solve any issues of uncertainty, and inspire your next great move.

Keep Your Options Open

There’s always that one over-achieving person in your course that has a job already. It’s hard not to be jealous, and wish you had the same sense of direction that they seem to be blessed with.

However, there is nothing wrong with a bit of looking around. Make sure that you allow yourself time to consider your options, and find a position that will make you want to go to work every day.

Some uncertainty will help you filter through the wide world of jobs, and find something that is uniquely you. 

These Guys Didn’t Know Either

Walt Disney was originally employed by a Missouri newspaper before coming into success as one of the most successful entertainers in the world. Martha Stewart spent time as both a model and Wall St broker before following her passion of gourmet cooking and building one of the largest culinary empires. Before becoming one of the biggest personalities on television, Ellen DeGeneres worked as a paralegal.

There seems to be this pressure on students to have everything figured out, but that’s unrealistic. So next time someone asks you, “what are your plans after graduation?” respond with honesty.

Tell them that you’re taking time for yourself, that you’re going travelling, or that you’re not sure but you’re working on it.