Life after third year: exploring your options beyond university

So, graduation is in sight? Wow. If you’re a third year student who’s reaching the end of their university journey, then first of all: well done, you’ve made it this far and you should be so proud. Second of all: is it really the end?

As your final year of uni comes to a close, you’re probably thinking ‘what next?’ It’s an exciting place to be, but can understandably be overwhelming too. As you contemplate what lies ahead at this crossroads in life, let us help you navigate what the next chapter could look like for you.

1. Important: don’t rush into anything!

You might feel pressure from outside influences like parents or peers to dive into something you don’t feel ready for, whether that’s a full-time job or a postgraduate house share. It might feel easier to make an impulsive decision, but it’s important to take some time and take stock on how far you’ve come and what matters to you most at this next stage. Reflecting on your university experience as a third year university student can provide valuable insights into your strengths, passions and areas for growth, so you can take a more considered and purposeful approach to life after uni.

2. Take the opportunity to travel

Could a gap year be for you? For many students leaving university, a year off travelling offers the perfect chance to explore the world and sharpen your perspective on who you are and what you want out of life. What a gap year looks like can really depend, whether it’s volunteering abroad or trekking through Thailand on an adventure with friends. Either way, it’s a character-building experience and one that can help define your choices when you return home.

3. Continue your studies

Perhaps the degree you studied at university has a clear career pathway that includes postgraduate-level study, or during the course of uni you have become passionate about an area of your subject that you want to explore in more depth. Sounds like postgraduate study is for you! It’s a commitment, sure, both financially and personally – but it’s an investment into your future that can open a lot of doors. From professional qualifications to a master’s degree or PhD, the courses available are wide-ranging so start thinking as early as possible about your next academic step. Check out our blog on everything a postgraduate student needs to know.

4. The ‘j’ word: getting a job!

You’ve thought about it and continuing in higher education isn’t for you. Maybe you’ll return to it in the future, but for now you feel ready to take the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired at university out into the workforce. Getting a kickstart on your career is something you may have already started doing in uni through things like work experience, volunteering and cultivating your LinkedIn page. As you prepare to transition from third year of university into the world of work, you may or may not have interviews lined up; to keep your eyes and ears out for opportunities, consider attending career fairs, signing up with recruitment agencies, speaking to a career advisor, networking to expand your professional contacts, and more. You’ve got this!

5. Explore alternative career pathways

Got a simmering idea for a startup? Hungry for the variety of freelance work? Or got the bug for volunteering during your uni years? There are so many other options to explore away from more traditional career paths. If one of these areas (or something else) is what inspires you, find out as much information as possible from different resources and speaking to people who’ve been in your shoes. Going into it armed with information and advice will help you make this exciting next step as smoothly as possible.

We’ve only scratched the surface here, but we hope this has given you some assurances about moving on from uni as a third year student. The world is waiting for you and the journey ahead is yours to make. If you do think that includes postgraduate studies for you, then check out our dedicated postgraduate living page – and don’t forget, if you’re already living with us, you can rebook with us into fourth year (and beyond) as a postgraduate student.