After I finished Highschool back in 2013, I had no real idea what to do with myself. I was 19 years old. You don’t need to know what you want to do when you’re 19.
I started to work in a printery to make some money to go to Canada. You can read more on my story by visiting my About page. After my year abroad, I still didn’t really know what to do with myself, but I had an idea.
In 2015 I started university. I never regretted that step, there are, however, some things I’m glad I did before university.
Here is a short list:
- Take some time to see the world. I spent a year in Canada, and I would do it again this instant. When you spend a considerable amount of time without your parents, you get way more independent. You’ll grow your self-esteem. It’s also good to speak more than just one language.
- Volunteer for a cause. Whether it’s the environment, culture for or social values, you should volunteer for something bigger. In Canada, I wwoofed (organic farming) and also volunteered for TIFF, Toronto’s International Filmfestival.
- Dare greatly. Do something you wouldn’t do otherwise.
- Explore your home country. You probably haven’t seen anything. I also visited Amsterdam for the first time before university. And had a nice family vacation on the Balearic Islands.
- Find out what you want to study, and if it makes sense to study that. It might seem obvious, but you should study what you want, not what you’re parents tell you to do. It’s time to grow independent. That’s what a year abroad is good for.
What do you think about this? Did you start university right away or did you do something in between, like me? Tell me in the comments down below.
Robin Ho Fotos 