Every student should equip him or herself with the necessary tips to surviving life after college. One mistake most Nigerian student make is not to plan for life after college. Society is changing; there is a high rate of unemployment and poverty. Therefore, there is a need to have a plan to help yourself and society.
Before we go extensively into the tips to surviving life after college, let’s have a review of the phase after graduation from college.
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Phase After Graduating from College
Starting the race of college is one thing; to finish is a bigger deal. However, the phase after college is not always prepared for. This is because most students can’t wait to end the phase through college.
The question now is, what is next after graduating from college? What do I do after college? What are the tips to surviving life after college? Most students get carried away with various social activities after college instead of focusing on personal growth. They want to wear the latest outfit, clubs, and trends and participate in activities. It is not bad but is that what is next?
Only a few students worry because they realize they face life’s reality. No feeding allowance, little financial support from friends or family. Except you are from a rich home. At this point, you are faced with adulthood. Lade, a Nigerian musician, recently dropped a song titled Adulthood Na Scam. Let’s have a glance at the lyrics;
Adulthood na scam
You better get am for your mind
(You better know this, oh)
You gast to hustle, make a living 24/7
Nobody go ask if you don chop
Nobody go send you free money
If you no get na you sabi
Adulthood na scam
This song best explains the phase after college. Every student wants freedom from school and parents. Until you are faced with the reality of life, then you will understand adulthood. You have to be 18 and older before being considered an adult. The truth is you become an adult the moment you start paying your bills. However, the Nigerian government has initiated a year program for every university graduate.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a program where every graduate offers voluntary services to their nation. NYSC is tailored to introduce and train Nigerian youths in various entrepreneurship skills. This training occurs at the camping level. Not to take your time, let me walk you through the corridor of tips to surviving life after college.
7 Tips to Surviving Life after College
What to do after college is a question that will most likely pop up in your mind as a college graduate. But, you don’t need to rack your brain; we are here to help you with the tips to surviving life after college.
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Acquire a Skill
The first tip to surviving life after college is to learn a skill. Acquiring a skill is a necessity in the world today. Apart from personal intellectual growth, it serves as a means of livelihood. Skills in the context are in two segments—Digital skills and craft. If you agree with me, digital skill is the new oil well in the world today. It is required in almost every sector. This is why it is the first tip to surviving life after college.
Digital skills you can learn include digital marketing, content and copywriting, graphics design, data analysis, and programming. You should check the internet and see companies wanting to employ people with these skills.
Crafts, on the other hand, is a handy work. They are skills that require you to make use of your hand. It includes fashion design, shoe making, hairdressing, bead making, and much more. One of the best tips to surviving life after college is possessing digital skills or handy work.
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Get a Job
Securing a good-paying job is one of the most difficult hurdles to cross in Nigeria. However, getting a job is undoubtedly one of the tips to surviving life after college. Having a job is a step ahead to avoid sapa (being broke) and meeting your needs. This is only possible if you are wise in spending and excellent at saving.
I agree everyone has a dream job. But in a situation where society is not helping my brother, secure another job you fit into. There are instances when you want to be your boss. This is where freelancing comes in. Which is the third tip to help you survive life after college.
Read also: How to get noncoding jobs in tech
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Freelancing
Freelancing is another means of income. Freelancers work from the comfort of their homes, and they are their bosses. There are various local and international freelancing sites you can register to work for people. Some are Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, Toptal, Gigster, TaskRabbit, Truelancer, Envator, Asuqu, FindWorka, JustFrom5k, AngelList, and many more.
There are various gigs on every freelancing site. You can make a lot of money depending on the skills (digital skills) you have to offer. One amazing fact is you can get paid in dollars. Imagine converting thousands of dollars into naira, my brother; you might be the Dangote of our prime. Freelancing is another tip to help you survive life after college.
Read also: 10 Smart Tips on How to Get Jobs on Upwork
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Avoid Social Media
I guess you are ready to attack me and wondering why you should avoid social media. Wait! Let me land. Staying off social media is one of the tips to surviving life after college. How? The amount of pressure from social media affects most youth negatively. How? Follow my explanation.
Pictures and videos of people on social media mislead a lot of youth. People hardly display their failures or downfalls. Instead, you see them balling at one club or the other, in the latest designer, driving expensive and living a large life.
Gbam! Jealousy and envy set in. You want to drive a Bentley immediately after college. No be juju be that? This is probably why many college graduates and undergraduates venture into cybercrime (yahoo).
I am sure you are saying it is possible. But, bros, it is not. Even as a tech guru, it will take a lot of hard work to buy a Bentley. Staying off social media is one of the tips to surviving life after college.
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Live on a Budget
Living on a low budget is one tip to help you survive life after college is living a low budget. Living on a low budget doesn’t mean you are poor. Instead, it is a means of having a financial plan. It prepares you ahead for hard times. Or else, sapa will humble you.
The present state of Nigeria’s economy doesn’t encourage unnecessary spending. A Lot of people are faced with financial difficulties due to unnecessary spending. Sapa na your mate? Living on a budget is one of the tips to surviving life after college.
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Apply for an Internship
This is another tip to surviving life after college. Pending the time you get your dream job, you can apply for an internship. Interning with one organization or company prepares you ahead of future hurdles.
One good thing about the internship is that you don’t have to wait till the end of college before you start to intern with organizations. Organizations search for vibrant youth to display their skills during discharging their primary assignments.
Read also: How to get and benefit from internships
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Entrepreneurship
The last tip to surviving life after college is to be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship today has helped most youth to sustain themselves. Moreover, the early birds start before leaving college, which gives them a good stance after college.
However, it is important to note that some of the richest people in Nigeria are entrepreneurs. Alinko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Mike Adenuga, Folorunsho Alakija, and Tony Elumelu, amongst others.
If these people could rank as the richest entrepreneurs in Nigeria, there is no doubt that entrepreneurship is one of the tips to surviving life after college.
Conclusion
This article has extensively guided you with seven tips to surviving life after college. However, in anything you want to do, learn digital skills. I say make I break Kolanut with you.
Are you looking for a digital community where you can get to connect with young and innovative minds? Then check out Insight.ng. This is the right community to help you discover and develop your digital skills. Click here to join our community. You should also subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn from successful entrepreneurs.
About Author
- I am Ojeyemi Adeleye, a theatre arts graduate of the University of Ilorin, and a master's in view in Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University. I am a content writer who believes the world can be brought to your doorstep through writing.
5 comments
Nice!!!! Came at the right time. Thank you sir
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Thank you for the tips it was really helpful, it made me realize exactly what I need to focus on before the end of my youth service.
Thank you Mr. Ojayemi for what you do for young graduates and young people.
More Power to your elbow and may your ink for writing not run dry.
Lovely