A personal growth plan is a reliable way to settle into life after uni or college and get off to a flying start for the first year. Of course, there are challenges along the way, but with the right attitude and a guide, it’s no big deal, from career plans and goals to tracking your progress.
Consider Your Surroundings
Your surroundings can play a pivotal role in your life. If where you live is unbalanced, unsafe or even lacking basic utilities, your physical and mental health can suffer. If any of these are true, it might be time to consider changing your living arrangements to relieve tension and strain. Coming from university accommodation into another space can be a difficult transition, especially when you are used to a studious environment that meets your personal needs.
Personal Growth Plan Focused On Career
You will probably be thinking mostly about your career after graduating, and that’s okay. It means you are beginning to define the life you want and plan for the future. Most UK students usually find a job within the first 6 months after graduating, but it can take longer. If you are lucky, you have lined up an internship or a starting role within your desired sector. However, it can help to explore different roles to find out what it is you are really passionate about in life.
Defining career interest
It helps to explore different job roles and sectors that interest you and would put your education to good use. University career guidance and networking opportunities are a great start to this.
Gaining practical experience
Experience is one of the biggest factors recruiters consider. Straight out of uni, you lack experience, but internships, volunteering roles and part-time work help build out your CV.
Developing key skills
Each career path requires a set of skills. Some you may already have and others are learned on the job. Identify what is required and refine these through further study and workshops.
Focus on Personal Wellbeing
One of the most overlooked parts of life and career independence is personal well-being. Physical and mental health are priorities, and addressing these can lead to a brighter future. Exercise, personal hygiene and eating a healthy diet are an excellent start to wellness. However, there are other factors to consider. These include staying social and engaging in activities you enjoy. As Mr. King once said, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.
A Personal Growth Plan with SMART Goals
Most people go through life with no direction. Yet, as most successful people will tell you, their lives changed when they set out goals. According to the City Mental Health Alliance, around 50% of graduates feel they aren’t prepared for life after college. However, setting goals and mapping your professional path is a critical part of your personal growth plan and accountability.
Specific
It helps to clearly define what the objective actually is. For example, “get more experience” isn’t enough. Instead, consider something like “take a workshop in cybersecurity to update the CV”.
Measurable
Goals must be quantifiable. That means they can be measured. For example, if you create an online portfolio, you could aim to add one blog post and one example of work each week.
Achievable
You will only become more disillusioned if you set goals out of reach. Goals must be achievable and realistic. Seemingly impossible goals can be broken down into smaller, easier objectives.
Relevant
Make sure any goals you include on your plan are relevant to your overall career progress plan. This includes experience aspirations and even personal interests for enthusiastic pursuit.
Time-bound
Without parameters, it is too easy to put off some goals. When this happens, it can take a long time to achieve them, if at all. Therefore, it helps to set deadlines for achieving your objectives.
Hobbies and Personal Projects
Working hard is good, but it isn’t your life. As a young adult on the journey from college to the professional world, it is tempting to make a big impression by dedicating all your time to your new role. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, and some sectors are pretty demanding. However, personal hobbies and projects are essential for avoiding burnout and the mental and physical effects that come with it. Ensure your time is your time, and set boundaries for work.
Tracking Your Personal Growth Plan
What’s the point of taking action without knowing where you are? A survey by Prospects found that 38% of college students in the UK are uncertain about future plans. However, a tracking system helps keep you on the path to success right after college, and it’s easier than you think:
- Keep a record of activities. This can be a personal diary, blog or even YouTube channel.
- Regularly review your progress to reflect on the journey and make dynamic changes.
- Be kind to yourself and celebrate specific milestones and personal achievements.
Exploring New Interests and Skills
You can finish college with one mindset, only for it to change pretty quickly. Whether it’s a personal change or something required by your chosen career path, exploring new interests and skills can be an amazing way to challenge yourself and find new fulfillment and happiness in life. Travelling, learning to play a musical instrument or even attempting a new language can help expand your horizons. Further, they can also add to experience and lead to an exciting role.
Summary
Finding suitable accommodation should be part of your personal growth plan after leaving uni within the first year. Of course, a plan must include goals, and SMART goals are a powerful way of achieving what you need. However, experience, interests and skills can lead to great things.
featured image: Photo by Bich Tran
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