This university academic year has been truly crazy. A lot of us have had to deal with the UCU strikes, and nearly all of us have had to adapt with the shift from traditional exams to online exams due to this unexpected pandemic. However, we students have done brilliantly despite all this, and have adapted fantastically. In particular, I am one of many students who have graduated this summer, and I wanted to use this blog post to share a few messages to the class of 2020.
Further challenges will come, but you have already shown the ability to deal with challenges
Whatever your next stage is, whether it is the working world, further study or something else, you will face challenges that you wouldn’t have encountered before, and these challenges will be tough. But it’s important to take heart from the fact that you have already overcome a lot of challenges at university. Examples of challenges that you have already overcome include living out and facing the additional responsibilities that come with that, getting good grades at university, as well as balancing your academic workload with other commitments. In particular, trying your best to cope with the sudden pandemic is really impressive and no mean feat. Most challenges you overcame at university were ones that you encountered for the first time, and this clearly shows your ability to adapt and be resilient. This will put you in good stead when dealing with all sorts of challenges in the next chapter of your life.
You all have unique qualities and skills
One thing that particularly struck me about students at Warwick was the sheer diversity in terms of qualities and skillsets. This was true even from comparing people on my course. For example, some people were extremely good at programming and other technical skills, some people were brilliant are certain sports, whereas other people were fantastic at playing certain music instruments. Even when it came to soft skills, everyone had their own unique skillset that allowed them to thrive and do really well. I firmly believe that everyone has unique and special qualities and that no two people are the same in that sense. This is why I want you all to remember that you are special in your own way, which means that you all have what it takes to thrive and succeed in life. The world needs diversity in skills and talents!
Be open to learning opportunities
One thing I have been told about the working world is that although it is hard and full of struggles, there are so many opportunities to learn and grow, and the same will apply to further study or anything else. In other words, the next chapter of your life is one that is incredibly exciting. Therefore, having an open mind and making the most of opportunities that will help you grow and expand your comfort zone is the way to go. This doesn’t just apply to the working world but in every other aspect of life.
Know that bigger challenges come ahead
This links to the first point. Many people I know thrived at university, and their university experience really helped them grow and develop as a person. However, the key message I want to say here is not to get complacent, and not to think that your achievements at university will set you up completely for life. There are bigger challenges that you are yet to face, and being complacent now is one of the worst things that you can do. It was hard work that got you to where you are today, and it is hard work that is needed to thrive in the next chapter of your life.
Surround yourself with positive people
Whilst at university, one of the main things that helped me was having a handful of amazing friends, and we would give each other positive energy and motivate one another. In the next chapter of your life, there will be lots of people that will try to motivate you and help you become the best version of yourself, and it’s vital that you surround yourself with these types of people. Furthermore, it will be brilliant if you make an active effort to keep in touch with university friends that were a positive influence on you whilst at university, as they are likely to be a positive influence on you in your next chapter.
However, there will always be a few people that will either give you negative energy, or will in some way or form be a barrier to you being able to thrive and become the best version of yourself. It’s important to recognise the signs when someone is being a negative influence on you, and these types of people are not worth keeping in your life.
I want to take this time to wish you all the best of luck in the next chapter, and thank the amazing friends and family that have helped me throughout my time at university!
Do you have any messages to give to the class of 2020. Comment on the comment section below!
I can’t imagine what is like to be part of the class of 2020, all the students who didn’t get to see their year out as they expected and having to fight for their grades. It just isn’t fair.
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It has been a weird time for the class of 2020 for sure!
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This is a great post! A lot of incredible insight, despite so much going on in the world right now…
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Thank you! I agree that there is a lot going on in the world right now!
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Great advice about positive and negative people. For the class of 2020 who managed to finish their schooling during COVID, and all the changes and interruptions that brought, I think they can get through anything!
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I agree, the class of 2020 can get through anything!
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I feel so sorry for those people having milestone moments this year totally ruined. This is a great list, I love the positive people tip, I think the energy of those you surround yourself with really has an impact x
Sophie
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It does have an impact I agree, I know how important surrounding myself with positive people was at university!
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Congratulations to the class of 2020. It will definitely be one to remember. I feel sorry that you can’t celebrate as you normally would but you have to think of the positives
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I agree, there are positives to take away from this as well
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Great post. I can’t imagine how stressful this year has been for students x
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It has been stressful yes!
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2020 was definitely an interesting year for students, and also pretty stressful I would imagine.
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Yep it has been both stressful and interesting!
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Someone once told me that great people are not defined by their school grades and I think that’s stuck with me, even though I didn’t do too badly at school.
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I couldn’t agree more this, your grades do not define you!
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My grandson was supposed to graduate from Nursery school last March 18th, but the lock down in our area started March 16th (and we are still on quarantine up to this day). Although he is still very young to understand, I feel so sorry for those who graduated from college/university. The much awaited graduation ceremony never happened. I also feel sorry for those who are looking forward to graduate next school year, but with an impending academic freeze, it makes me anxious that they may have to skip the school year until the crisis is over.
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I would hate it if school kids have to skip the school year, their routine and structure has already been disrupted so much
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I have always said yes you learn and get your grades at school but you never start learning properly until you go out into the world
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I think you always learn, in all stages of life!
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I think doing a university degree and sitting exams is difficult in normal circumstances, but during lockdown it must have been extra difficult and stressful for many students. I hope that the online support helped to ease the pressure.
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I agree, in lockdown it was extra difficult for students, but students have done so well!
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I can’t imagine the amount of stress and worry this year has brought of students of all ages and at all levels. I think the class of 2020 all across the country have done amazing considering the circumstances and wishing everyone good luck for the future!
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Thank you for the kind words!
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It has been a hugely stressful year and I know many kids who are waiting for results. I would just like to say that results are not the be all and end all and life is just beginning for you
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I couldn’t agree more!
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Yes to this! It’s such a tough and unusual time for young ones right now and I hope that they get all the good stuff coming to them over the next few years.
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Thank you for reading! I hope as well that the class of 2020 can get all the good stuff coming to them!
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What an awesome article, Niraj! May I reblog this and link it back to you?
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Yes of course!
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Thank you for your generosity!
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Let me know when it has been reblogged
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