From Campus to the “Real World”

By Phoenix Group:
Sharon Momanyi          Felix Musila
Martin Kuria                   Beatrice Mwangi
Janet Koech                   Alice Neumbe

For most of us who were in this class, this happens to be out very last semester in school. We are very excited about graduating next year and starting on life. However, it is understandable that many of us may be anxious about starting life in the “real world”. For those who have gone through the 8-4-4 system, it’s been an excruciating sixteen years in school, and the shift from being a student to full-time employment, graduate studies or volunteering can be a major change involving new schedules, colleagues and responsibilities. For some of us, life after college may be the first time we are independent from our parents or caregivers, so moving into the next phase of life can be an intimidating change. The much talked-about “tarmacking” after campus does not really aid is soothing our somewhat anxious minds. Of course we may be confident in our skills and abilities, but there’s always the deep-set fear of “what if luck is not on my side”.
Change can be frightening, but it is important to remember that it happens to everyone all the time. We should know that the new experiences and challenges that we may get to face will help us grow and discover our own unique paths.
Dr. David Palmiter of American Psychological Association (APA) offers the following tips to help start off life after campus on a positive note:
Focus on the positive – You are armed with an education and energy, two tools that will help you chart your new course, whether it is a career, graduate studies or volunteering. Remind yourself that you are well equipped to persevere and overcome any obstacles that you face. If you are in doubt about your abilities, create a list of the things you have accomplished and post it where you can see it regularly.
Stay connected – The support system you built while at school doesn’t disappear the moment you leave campus. Keeping in touch with friends, professors and mentors is easier now than ever before, and their guidance will help you navigate the sometimes confusing post-college world. Don’t be afraid to talk about your challenges—chances are others know exactly how you feel and would enjoy helping you.
Look for opportunities – Part of graduating from college and entering the “real world” is engaging in a process of self-discovery. Look for ways to enhance your existing interests as well as create new ones. Taking opportunities to further your knowledge about a particular subject, meeting people who have similar interests and becoming involved in the community will help expand your horizons and open doors to your future.
Take action – Don’t just talk, get busy! If your goal is to have a job, take decisive steps to reach that goal, such as refining your resume, sending out applications and talking to people in your network about what you’re looking for. The more action you take, the closer you will be to reaching your goals.
Be Resilient – Resilience, the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, is an important skill to learn when facing the ups and downs of life after college. Don’t let rejection letters from companies or graduate programs get you down. Everything is a learning process, so try to look at each “no thank you” as an opportunity to improve.

The Phoenix Group wishes every member of Com 467A class of August 2010 a very good, happy, peaceful and successful life after campus! Remember to put God first in everything you do, He will never let you down. It was great sharing this class with you!