Looking back, its been two years since my graduation, I often reflect on exactly what the hell did I learn while I was at university because all I remember is skipping class, having lunch and hanging out with friends. My first degree was in Psychology and second in Occupational Therapy (because I couldn't find a job with just a B.psych), both were from Universities within Sydney. I've spent many days on campus, so what did I learn?
TREASURE YOUR UNI BREAKS
Once you start working, kiss goodbye to that sweet 2.5-3 months break, those are unicorns that will only pop up if you are unemployed, switching between jobs, injured, getting married, having a baby or retired.
In the real world we get 4 paid weeks off per year to on holidays. I was a workaholic throughout uni and worked throughout semesters and every uni break - BIG MISTAKE. Treasure those breaks and travel... you will have the rest of your life to work.
BOOKS ARE EXPENSIVE
Uni books are ridiculously expensive, half the time they are probably unnecessary and will be outdated in 6 months time (the authors keep coming up with newer editions to rack in the money). I ensured to purchase second hand books and re-sell those books... or... just sucked it up and spent some time at the photocopy machine.
$40 VS $120... you do the maths.
(ALMOST) NOTHING YOU LEARN WILL MATTER IN THE REAL WORLD
I learnt a truckload of theory that I wont be able to apply to the world outside of University. Psychology taught me a lot of social theories which provided me a better insight of why people do certain things... but unless I become a Neurologist, my colleagues will not care about neurons synapse. I did not gain any exposure to practical components in my psych degree.
I learnt a truckload of theory that I wont be able to apply to the world outside of University. Psychology taught me a lot of social theories which provided me a better insight of why people do certain things... but unless I become a Neurologist, my colleagues will not care about neurons synapse. I did not gain any exposure to practical components in my psych degree.
My occupational therapy degree had a lot of practical components (whether it was field work, playing with cadavers, making a splint or manual muscle testing - it saved my ass). I enjoyed class (the ones I went to anyway - I was notorious for skipping class for work), the teachers challenged me to think laterally and stop being so naive, it's wasn't all bad.
YOUR GRADES MAY OR MAY NOT MATTER
This really depending on what degree it is and what you hope to get out of it. Unless you are looking to do honours and/or PHD, then you better keep a tab on your grades. The real world does not differentiate between someone who has failed 5 subjects and someone who graduated with a distinction average.
A DEGREE DID NOT MAKE ME AN EXPERT
When I started my job as a graduate two years ago, I thought I had the solution to all questions. My grades fuelled my ego, making me delusional and believing that I was exceptional. Heck, I had to start from the beginning just like everyone else. I learned that study life is not everything, it doesn't matter whether someone has a degree (or 10), a diploma, high school certificate, home schooled or never received an education, we all have strengths and weaknesses, we are all as amazing as Ryan Reynolds and his tight fitting spandex.
P.S. About time Leondard DiCaprio took home an Oscar.
NOW TELL ME WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM SCHOOL!