What to Do After Finishing University: 7 Impactful Things to Try

It can be daunting stepping out into the "real world" after finishing university.

The safety net of education is gone, and you're expected to become an adult.

This was certainly something that worried me after I finished, so to help you out, here are five possible routes to go down if you're wondering what to do after finishing university.

Of course, this one would be at the top of the list.

You may be asking yourself, why would I go travelling when I am a broke, recently graduated student? To that, I say you don't have to spend years backpacking around Asia or Europe to go travelling. A few summer months in America or even weeks somewhere new will massively help.

A month in an unfamiliar place is a reasonable amount of time to help you gain a unique experience and, most importantly, to recharge. You've spent years studying and doing exams; it's time you took a break before getting into the next chapter.

There is no better feeling than exploring somewhere new, knowing that you have achieved something big (such as a university diploma).

Somehow the sky seems bluer, the sun glistening on the sea feels more magical, and life stands still.

A rested mind is powerful; we sometimes forget that. So, switch off that brain while travelling and enjoy the world's wonders!

If you decide to broaden your horizons for longer than a month, it may be worth looking at ways to keep your brain active.

There are programs like Camp Leaders where you can work at summer camps in America to develop skills and get your mind working while having fun.

Yet, the world is your oyster. I found housekeeping in New Zealand so enjoyable. Yes, it's manual labour, but just being active and having a purpose is relaxing in its own way.

There was no pressure to figure out my next career move or take my work home with me. I did the job to the best of my ability, made friends with my coworkers, and enjoyed the rest of my day and night. So simple.

Working also gave me funds (obviously) which meant I didn't have to worry about money while travelling.

I didn't exactly live in luxury, but neither do you need to.

I had a financial safety net to keep my adventure going and all the fun in the world. In terms of what to do after finishing university, this is one of the most popular.

If you take the plunge, check out our 6 nerve-settling tips for working abroad for the first time.

Volunteering in a field you want to enter can be a great way to break into the industry.

Jobs can be hard to come by, but it's easier to find volunteer positions.

I knew I wanted to do something with journalism, so I decided to volunteer at a community radio station. Not only did it look good on my CV, but I also made connections in the community to help me further my career.

If you choose to volunteer in your industry, ensure you are not being taken for a ride. It's too easy for employers to take advantage of ambitious young people. If volunteering means grabbing tea and coffee and doing busy work, then ask yourself whether it's worth it.

Of course, volunteering can also be something completely different from your area of interest. It may even help you figure out what you want to do.

If you want to try something even more different, it may be worth looking at volunteering abroad.

Two months before my education finished, I had a panic about what to do after finishing university (this was before a trip to the theatre that turned into an existential crisis).

Hastily, I researched masters and graduate programs. I found one that looked 'alright', and I quickly made an application. When one of my references pointed out that the deadline was sooner than I thought, I realised I was being too reckless.

The lesson I learned from this is that further education is useful but definitely should be thought out.

If you are, like I was, thinking about applying for a master's because you're scared about entering the real world, it's not the best reason.

Incidentally, I did a master's a few years after graduating from university (and travelling, I may add - I will preach the positives of travel after university until I die). This time, I thought long and hard about what I wanted to get out of it.

It paid off as it helped me spring into a career I wanted.

Who knows, you could tie it all in and look at studying your master's abroad, even for a semester?

It may not be tangible, but taking your time to figure out what you want to do is so important. After all, if Rome wasn't built in a day, then why should your life goals be any different?

We no longer live in a world where adults do one job for the rest of their life (quite frankly, that sounds too dull for me), so there isn't a rush to get into your career .

Try new jobs, and who knows, maybe you'll have a rom-com moment where you fall for a career you'd never thought of before. Think about when you were 18 years old and just going to university; can you say that you're the same person you were then?

Chances are your experiences have changed you in some way. You'll undoubtedly be different, even just a few years after finishing university.

Life isn't a rush, so enjoy the journey.

Whether you take a complete break, work abroad doing something like summer camp in America, or even find volunteer work, it's all part of your journey.

If I could go back in time to talk to my recently graduated self, I would say to have faith and trust myself and the process.

What to do after finishing university doesn't need to be a difficult question; it's an incredible opportunity to trial and error your life to see what you like and maybe what you don't.

I hope you can trust yourself, too and know that you'll find the right path after university eventually; enjoy the ride.

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