When you leave Campus, it’s easy to feel like you know it all. You’ve been the “cool kids” and “slay queens” around campus. You might have been part of the chaps that led strikes around Wandegeya, you’ve slid in almost all Mubs’ girls DMs. You’ve likely worked a few jobs or internships at this point and you carry yourself with a confident demeanor, ready to take on the world.
Not so fast. Though it might seem as though you’re a true adult, the real growing up begins once you step away from the comfortable walls of your campus. Here are a few lessons in becoming an adult that you’ll only absorb once you’ve already graduated:
1. Sometimes, not achieving your original dreams can be a good thing
Unless you’re lucky, it will be difficult to have everything fall into place in your early stages of post-grad life; namely, getting the perfect job, apartment, or even a romantic partner. It can feel devastating to get rejected from a job at your dream company, only to find that another company has a job waiting for you that is a much better fit.
Kamara Patricia, a graduate student from Makerere University Business School (MUBS), quickly learned that life has an interesting way of putting you on a path full of twists and turns. She says, “Not getting my ‘dream’ job out of campus helped me decide to pursue my masters’ degree, and in turn, has opened so many more doors for job opportunities.” The same can apply to your love life, as Patricia notes that getting your heart broken can lead you towards an even better relationship.
2. Never be afraid to ask for help
Graduating from campus can seem like the ultimate mark of independence for a young person. As you set out into an unknown future, you’re not expected to know everything and that’s completely normal. You should especially not feel embarrassed to ask your co-workers at your first job for help. Likewise, seeking out a mentor in your field can help direct you towards your career goals when you feel stuck.
3. You’ll learn how to manage your money better
Being an adult is expensive. You’re faced with rent, loans, health bills, and of course a budget for having fun (wink wink)…the list goes on. Even if you had a job during campus, the number of financial commitments will only increase. Your full-time job and a larger paycheck come with great responsibility. Make sure that you’re budgeting your money to cover your needs, so that you have also enough funds to put in savings. By creating a savings account for yourself early, you will avoid the stress that comes with unavoidable life circumstances.
4. Your health is your first priority
Remember those Mukono trans-nights that you always had at campus, filled with Nilos and junk food? Well since you’re a grownup now, you ought to keep away from them because they can negatively affect your health over time in the real world. Now that you’re done with the burden of school and have a little more time to focus on yourself, it’s beneficial to make your health more of a priority as an adult. Exercise is an equally key component of health. A gym membership or a membership at a swimming facility is highly recommended.
5. It’ll take a while before you truly feel like an adult
Much of one’s feeling as an adult comes with developing confidence, a quality that can take time throughout one’s early career. However, as long as you continually work on improving your self-esteem through self-care, those fears will eventually become insignificant. There is only so much that you can learn about adulthood while confined to your campus hostel. It’s only when you leave campus and start living on your own that you’ll begin to develop the adulting skills that will help you succeed.
