Is Your Future at University Affected By the Lockdown?

I think its safe to say that one of the groups affected by the Covid-19 lockdown are the students who are heading to university. For most, that would be the students who are in their final years at university. While it is unfortunate, I find two very intriguing issues that have spawned from this.

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Issue 1: The Dependence on School

With the announcement of school being reopening soon, the first group of students who will be sent back are those who are sitting for the final exam before university. That makes sense and it is a practical move. However, when the announcement was made, I wondered, aren't the students capable of studying on their own?

For me, it can be rather sad that after ten years of schooling, the students are still reliant on the school to prepare them for the exams. Now, I say this not as an insult to the students, but lamenting on how the students are being prepared for the real world. If they need a refresher, their attendance can be limited to prevent the spread of the virus. But, coming back for a whole semester just for the exams, paints a picture of them being overly reliant on the teacher and school.

After all, aren't we supposed to be training independent and capable learners? This also may not be the fault of the education system, but a rather rigid system.

Issue 2: A very Rigid System and Path

One of the shocks I got when I studied in another country was that students don't go directly to universities after high school. Some took a job, some traveled the world while others just took a break. The culture ingrained in me fought with that notion, thinking that it was a waste of time, little did I realize that going to university is akin to picking what the next few years of your life is going to be like. As such, every high school graduate needs time to think, reflect and decide.

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This is not the case for the system that I am in. We are required to head off to university as soon as we are able. We are also blessed with scholarships and aid that help us transition over, from a monetary perspective. Hence, I get it why students who are sitting for their final high school exams are required to come back fast, complete it, and move on. So, if this hits you pretty hard and you are unsure of how your future at university is going to be like, here are a few essential skills that you can focus on.

So What Should You do if You are Unsure of What Happens Next?

1.Take more time to consider where you are headed.

It can be easy to be caught up with the dreams and promises of a nice college life. But, it is always good to take the time to see what you are getting yourself into. For example, colleges and universities have a recommended reading list of books. Check out these books and see if you like what you see. You can also interview students within a course to find out how good it is and how tough it can be. In short, do your due diligence.

2.Take time to build important skills for the future

So now that you have done your research, you will probably come to realize that what you have learned at high school has not been enough. As such, you will have to figure out what you can do to complement your current skill set. Youtube is a great resource on skills that you will need to survive and do well in the future. I'll get into this more in a future post!

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3.Work! 

Of course, try looking for a job. The mindset of a student and the mindset of a worker differs. You will be exposed to the responsibilities of adults very quickly and that changes your perspective on life.

Lastly, never stop pushing yourself. You can learn so much if you just start digging on the subjects that you are interested in. So, rather than looking at the Covid-19 lockdown as a problem, see it as an opportunity to plan for your future!