Making a smooth transition into the ‘real world’

Fixed scheduled classes, seven-hour school days, curfews and uniforms. These are just some of the set structures that make adjusting to what has been coined ‘the real world’ a little bit tumultuous.

The way in which our lives have been structured all through our academic years makes adjusting to the new-found liberties that come with the ‘real world’ somewhat difficult, particularly when one has to transition without any guidance or hands-on support.

Additionally, the transition comes with several realisations and wake-up calls as a comfortable high school experience can be blinding to the harsh realities of life.

“After high school, I realised no one really cares about you. I had to learn to become independent and disciplined. Also, with stepping into the real world came a few advantages like having freedom. Having freedom to decide what you actually want to do with your life can be very liberating.

“In my opinion and experience, the overall transition is exciting and happens faster than one expects it to,” first-year psychology student at the University of Namibia, Twapewa Uuyuni, said.

Fortunately, this transition can be mollified through planning and mental preparation for the harsh realities that lie ahead by means of career counselling for individuals who are riddled with uncertainty with regards to which career path to choose.

This is often the biggest concern for high school learners as the pressure to do so accumulates at an early age, and they tend to forget that any career choice made in high school is not necessarily permanent as life often takes many unexpected turns and that they are the driver of the vehicle that is their life.

Furthermore, it is important that you take into account the fact that the conventional means of going about starting an independent life for yourself has changed and that there no longer is a need to conform to the societal norm of matriculating, graduating and penetrating the capitalistic cycle. It is important that you do what sets your soul on fire throughout and after this transition, regardless of what that may look like.