What you need to know before leaving for university

IF you completed secondary school last year, chances are you might be opting to further your studies. Be it a college, university or other tertiary institution, your decision to take that next step means preparing yourself to develop competencies for a future career.

As exciting as it is to enter a new phase, transitioning from secondary school to a tertiary institution can be intimidating, with the likelihood of experiencing culture shock as a result of being in a new environment, being surrounded by new people, and a sudden shift in lifestyle.

It is important to know that university life involves more than just attending classes, joining club activities, and abiding by rules and regulations, as your orientation would tell you.

Here are some things you need to know to better transition into your new phase in life. Build your skills As mentioned, being in university is a good avenue to develop your competencies such as leadership, problem-solving, teamwork and communication, as well as to become more employable and capable in life.

Through active participation in clubs and organisations, classes and other university activities, you are also building your networking skills by meeting with new people who could potentially lend a helping hand during and after your studies.

Balancing your time during and outside university provides you the opportunity to improve your self-management abilities by prioritising important matters or scheduling periods for school, play and rest. Earn your independence For some of you, leaving secondary school means leaving behind the comfort and convenience of your home. In short, you will need to do your own laundry, cooking and cleaning, for instance.

Consider doing these somewhat tedious chores and other acts of self-maintenance as your chance to be more independent and self- confident, preparing you to be able to take care of yourself once you have decided to live on your own after your studies.

If you are living with other students, learn how to adapt to their attitudes and behaviours, which can involve making compromises to your lifestyle and perceptions. Work on your finances Studies and reports have shown that Malaysians, especially millennials (those born from 1980 to the 2000s), are spending more than what they have, generally due to a lack of consumer and financial knowledge.

It is therefore important to start budgeting to ensure that you still have some savings in the future. It can be as simple as keeping track of your expenses, spending more on your needs rather than your wants, or even reading and speaking to people familiar with managing finances. Discover yourself All things considered, your time in university is a time for self- discovery, where you will learn to build yourself up from experiences both good and bad. If you find yourself stuck in a programme that you are disinterested in, you are welcome to make the switch as long as your eventual option fits you and can prepare you for a career in the future.

So have fun, take care of your needs and work to overcome every challenge posed throughout your university life. Savour the moments for you might not have such an experience again.

This is a weekly column by SarawakYES! – an initiative driven by Faradale Media-M Sdn Bhd and supported by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak – to provide advice and stories on the topics of education and careers to support Sarawakians seeking to achieve their dreams. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.