8 Things to Do After You’ve Finished University

AD – This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Finishing University can be a daunting time! You might be asking yourself what career you want to pursue or whether you want to try out further study.

Although I finished University during a pandemic, I still had the same gnawing panic about life after graduation. This wasn’t helped by other people having such a clear idea of what they wanted to do after University and many of my friends and peers had their plans all sorted.

If you’re worried about life after graduation – don’t panic!

It’s completely normal to worry about your future career or study options, and many people don’t know what they want to do at this time in their life.

For me, every moment until I finished University was planned out. I went to school, I did my A-Levels and I wanted to get into University. Everything was geared towards this, and when I felt the experience coming to an end, I was terrified.

However, there are so many things you can do after you’ve finished University!

I’ve put together a few ideas, to start you thinking about what you might like to do after graduation. There’s no pressure to decide what you want to do – but I hope this post can get you thinking about a few career path ideas.

I’m definitely not telling you what you should do after you’ve finished University, but what you could do, including a few fun ways to further your education, career and personal growth at this important time.

8 Things to Do After You’ve Finished University

You can do lots of different things you can do after your University degree, including:

  1. Apply for a Master’s course
  2. Take your time
  3. Get a job
  4. Decide where you want to live
  5. Apply for everything
  6. Approach your University for help
  7. Pursue a new hobby
  8. Celebrate

Let’s take a look at these ideas in a little more detail…

1. Apply for a Master’s course

I have put this option first, as this is what the majority of my friends chose to do – and it is one of the most common things to do after graduation.

There’s a joke about students only applying for a Master’s because they panic about what to do next – but for many people this is the next step they want to take in their education.

I absolutely loved my University experience, but for some reason, I just knew I didn’t want to do a Master’s degree.

Woman wearing cap and gown in the library stacks, holding books- 8 things to do after you've finished University

I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to do as a job, but I knew I wanted to try and find something that I loved – and I felt finished with education for now.

Think about whether you want to try a Master’s course, and remember that there’s a lot more flexibility than you think.

You don’t have to study the same course as your undergraduate, or you could do something that’s targeted towards a particular career.

2. Take your time

This is an important one! Finishing University is huge, and it can feel like a big chapter in your life is over.

Take your time to think about what you actually want to do after graduation, and don’t rush into anything. Everyone is doing their own thing at this time – and you might feel pressure to get your dream job straight out of University.

However, taking your time means you’ll actually be able to find something you really want to do in the long run.

3. Get a job

If you’re unsure what you want to do after graduation, a great way to get the ball rolling is to get a job. Obviously, you should try to choose something you think you will enjoy, but it’s such a good idea to just get into a job. This can help you understand what you want to do – and you can find the right path for you.

Two people shake hands over a table, covered with laptop and disposable coffee cups- 8 things to do after you've finished University

If you have the financial freedom to do so, you could also work part-time so that you can spend some time finding other opportunities or jobs.

I was very lucky as I lived at home with my family during this time. This meant I could work part-time and save my money. However, just getting into a job is one of the best ways to gain independence and earn money.

You can always move your way into another job at some point – or you might find that your job is something you enjoy.

4. Decide where you want to live

A great thing to do after you’ve finished University is to decide where you want to live.

Think about whether you want to stay where you’re studying, or whether you want to return home. Or maybe live somewhere completely different!

Deciding where you want to live (at least temporarily) might encourage you to make other decisions. For example, if you want to live in your University city, you might decide to find a job there – and you might find the people you want to live with, too.

5. Apply for everything

After you finish University, you might feel like there’s nothing out there for you – but that’s just not true! Apply for everything that takes your fancy and stay positive about your job opportunities.

Clipboard with a blank sheet, "my resume" is at the top. Small section of the laptop is at the side of the photo. 8 things to do after you've finished University

You never know when you might drop on something you love. I applied for so many jobs that I didn’t get, and a few that I did get! It’s all about persevering until you find a job you love.

6. Approach your University for help

After you’ve finished University, try reaching out to your University careers department for help and support.

This might mean a one-on-one talk with someone in your department or accessing resources online from your University.

I applied for a few internships using my University careers portal, and I also received some great advice from the careers advisers whenever I needed to submit an application. Don’t be afraid to approach your University for help.

You can also access Academic Evaluation Services if you need help understanding the education system. This service can provide you with all the advice and support you need when finishing University.

7. Pursue a new hobby

After you’ve finished University, you might feel a lack of mental stimulation – and this can be rectified by pursuing something that interests you. For example, try reading something new or even start a blog – anything that makes you feel passionate.

It goes without saying that you need time to decompress after University, and there’s nothing wrong with binge-watching Netflix. However, finding a fun and engaging activity is a great way to keep learning and stave off the boredom until you land your first job.

8. Celebrate

Finally, don’t forget to celebrate after you finish University! I actually got 2 celebrations, as I graduated online first, and then I got to enjoy an in-person graduation in May 2022 (2 years after I actually finished my degree).

Eleanor at graduation, wearing a grey cap and gown and smiling in portrait. 8 things to do after you've finished University

This is an incredible time in your life, and even if you don’t know what you want to do after you finish University, it’s important to celebrate your achievements!

Are you currently thinking about what to do after University? Do you have any ideas for things to do after you’ve finished University? Did you know what you wanted to do after you finished University?

Let me know all your thoughts 🙂

Happy reading x

46 thoughts

  1. I think celebrating is the most important point on here! So often we reach this incredible goal and then immediately want to move onto the next thing without taking time to celebrate ourselves and our achievements! All excellent tips though, there are so many options!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes exactly! Thank you so much Jenny, I think it’s just important to know there are lots of options at this time of your life. The same applies if you’re finishing school or swapping careers x

      Like

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  3. Celebrating is really important – and so is taking your time!
    I think a lot of students panic about finding the “perfect” job – but you’re not making a lifetime commitment. You can get one job and keep looking for the next. It’s also totally normal to not really have everything planned out, but we don’t always talk about it.
    Congratulations on your own graduation and thank you for sharing these important points!!
    Colleen | ChooseYourUni

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I agree! I think it can be hard- especially when you’re surrounded by people who know what they want to do- but that time is so necessary 🙂 No one has things planned out, and that’s totally fine as long as you’re happy! Thank you so mch Colleen x

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. There’s so many options out there, but not always what you’re looking for. So taking time to decide is always good, as long as you do something productive with that time while deciding.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes I agree. There are lots of options, but it can be so disappointing when you find it hard to find the right opportunity for you. I think taking time is a good idea, but I agree you need to have the right mindset about it 🙂

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  7. So due to health reasons I am not cannot do the certain aspect of a job I have wanted to do since I was young. So next year I am looking at applying for university. This post has been insightful and preparing for when I have graduate! Thank you for sharing.

    Lauren xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. You’ve shared some really great ideas here lovely which I think will help a lot of people who are just finishing up with uni. I’m not at uni myself but I have friends who are and I’ll defiantly be sharing this post with them! It must be really hard navigating life after uni, you’ve been in education all those years, I can imagine it being tough. This post will help a lot of people though so thank you so much for sharing Xo

    Elle – ellegracedeveson.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Elle- I hope this post can help! Finishing Uni is a very unique and weird time for sure 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here Elle, I really appreciate it x

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      Reply

  13. These are really great tips! A post I should’ve read when I graduated. I ended up doing a masters degree in law. At the moment i haven’t been able to find a job that relates my degree that I’m satisfied with, hopefully soon!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. I wasn’t too sure what to do after I finished my undergraduate degree, so I ended up doing volunteer work for years, as I found it fulfilling. It also helped me decided what I wanted to do with my life. So volunteering for a while after university is a good way to sample career options if you’re not in any rush after you finish university

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
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