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Have you ever thought about going back in time? I did. There are things I wish I knew before starting university which I know would definitely be life changing for me.
When you step out of high school for the last time, your family members will start asking you about your future plans. Perhaps you heard it too many times until it annoys you to listen to it.
But don’t be too stressed about it! Like myself, we all will be entering uncharted waters, not knowing for sure of our destination. Believe me, and I’ve learnt from my experience that it is better to think about some things before deciding.
Suppose you decide to jump into any course or student life and ask questions later. In that case, it’s a recipe for more “wrong decisions” and mental burnout. Hopefully, the things I have to share here will point you towards a more precise direction and perhaps an extraordinary student life.
So here are some tips on what you need to do before going into College/University:
Don’t Rush & Take it Slow
Parents pushing us to jump straight into a diploma or degree right after high school is relatively standard. Unfortunately for us, our parents believe that getting a diploma/degree safeguards our future. It’s not entirely wrong, though, but it might be a waste of time and money if this decision marks the beginning of regret and unhappiness in the long run.
So do not rush into college or university just to please your parents. Trying to force yourself to study something you absolutely hate is not a good move.
Take your time and consider your following path with a lot of thought. Do some soul searching and try to discover your possible interest. The last thing you want to do is be a slave to your poor decision and hate your future career to your bones.
Discuss with Your Parents
Yes, I know! It might come across as standing up against your parents to declare war. Let’s try not to think of it that way. But rather a heart to heart talk to finally be completely honest with your parents.
Trust me, it’s your first step towards maturity, and it helps everyone make a good decision.
It’s best to initiate this conversation with your parents before you embark on your soul searching. Firstly, you should explain to your parents that it is essential to give you time and space to consider your future. Remember this, it’s your future and yours alone.
In some cases, if you are already studying and need a break before continuing your path, give your parents a time frame. Remember to constantly provide them with updates about your progress so your parents wouldn’t panic and leave you at peace to find yourself.
Do Some Research
This is an essential step in your journey of making your life-changing decision. But keep in mind that Google alone should not determine your future for you! It can be a good source of information and views from other students. But please remember, IT IS YOUR FUTURE! So do spare some time to think about all the information you have just learnt.
Personally, I used Google a lot when it was my turn to make a decision in the past. Mainly to help answer which course should I take. It’s good to get some insights about universities, courses, and career paths.
In this phase, one of the first few questions I have to answer is whether I want to study abroad or not. Although it’s not difficult to conclude this, it’s good to at least know the pros and cons of it.
Try to speak to Education Counsellors!
Additionally, try to speak to some education counsellors and get as many opinions as possible. That way, you will be able to access all information before considering whether that course or university suits you.
They are Free anyway. If you are an international student trying to find out about Education in Malaysia, check out Education Malaysia Global Assist! They specialize in helping international students find the best courses available. Your onboarding into your university will be smooth.
Really Explore And Discover Your Interest!
This part is probably the most challenging, and you should really spend more time trying to discover your interest. There are many courses available covering almost all the skillsets required in the industry to strive in your career. The last thing you want is to commit to a course, then waste time and money getting a qualification you hate.
The best thing you can do is really dive deep into the course you are possibly interested in. You can find many online courses available on the internet that provides in-depth information and course materials.
You can imagine yourself practising the skills you have just learned for many years to come. Then ask yourself, would you want to do this. Do you enjoy getting better at that skill set? Doing this would almost surely give you a better understanding of yourself and perhaps point you towards the best choice you can make.
Do not skip this step! You don’t want to be like me and say “If only, the things I wish I knew before starting university…”.
There you have it, I truly the things I wish I knew before starting university was available to me back then. But it’s okay, life is like a marathon and university life is only a small portion of it. More importantly, be patient with yourself and give yourself a break. Do not be too stressed out trying to force yourself into a decision. Everything will work out fine in the future as long as you decide with peace of mind.
Good luck!
Want more tips on jumping-start your student life into an incredible journey? Check this page out!
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