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Transition and change are very tricky times for everyone. A good transition can mean the difference between floundering and flourishing. As such it is crucial to get it right. Transition can put enormous strain on you socially, emotionally, academically and even practically. Whether you are progressing from high school to university or university into the workplace or another setting altogether, the transition does not have to be an anxiety-inducing period in our lives or make us run away.

To be frank, even the prospect of change can be terrifying but it doesn’t have to be. So, what can we do to make the transition work and set your student life or career off to a good start?

Acceptance – things will change

The most detrimental thing you can do for yourself when it comes to change is to deny its occurrence. The sooner you accept it, the better. If you’re a student going to university, things will be very different. Perhaps you will be moving to another province, leaving your family and comfort zone behind. You will probably live alone or be responsible for yourself, which is something you’ve probably never had to do. You must do your best to accept and even embrace these changes. Try to see this change as an opportunity for personal growth and learning, instead of a negative thing.

You’ve dealt with change before, and you’ll do it again

They say that the only constant in life is change. So always remember that you’ve managed to deal with previous changes in your life, so you’ll adapt quickly again this time. If you just graduated and you’re starting work soon, think back to when you first started university – everything about your life changed overnight – but you quickly managed to settle in. Adjusting to the changes that come with starting your new job is no different. You are more adaptable than you think, so draw some confidence from that as you prepare to enter the next chapter of your life. Understand these changes are only temporarily unsettling, and you will quickly form new habits, schedules and rituals, and importantly, start to enjoy your new life.

Try to not feel intimidated

The key word here is “try”. Contrary to popular belief, intimidation is a natural feeling to have. As a matter of fact, people feel intimate in life constantly, more than they like to admit. University or the world of work is a whole different ball game. You’ll almost certainly come across people who are much older than you, know more than you, and are in much more senior positions than you. Try not to feel intimidated by this, instead see it as an opportunity to learn.

Make connections

The simplest way to encourage a good transition is by making a connection in your new settings. This can simply be done through building relationships – forming genuine friendships. Now in no way does this mean you have to force things but you’ll be surprised that having a friend or two that you can relate and share with can help change your perception of the change. This can also help with feeling safe, secure and creating a familiar space for yourself.

Don’t be too hard on yourself

The last thing you need is to be hard on yourself by adding unnecessary pressure to yourself. Relax and breathe. You’re doing well. Don’t expect to understand things the first time you do them – give grace to yourself. Everyone starts somewhere, even that 3^rd-year student that looks like they have their life and academics on lock, they were once a first-year student who probably felt homesick and even displaced. Once again, everyone starts somewhere.

The transition from high school to student life to the world of work can understandably feel intimidating and overwhelming – but it really doesn’t have to be that way if you follow the above five steps.

Settling in at university and dealing with the transition from high school to university can be difficult for many students. It can be even harder to adjust when you can’t shake the feeling that the course, you’re studying is just not the one for you. So, you’ve finished an entire semester at university or the whole year and after careful considerations, you’ve fully convinced that this is not the qualification for you, what now? You’re feeling more confident about the course that’s suitable for you but how do you go about that changing courses?

There are so many things to think about when making this decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few things to consider when making this change:

The big Why? Why do you want to switch courses?

This question is really important as you have to interrogate yourself and have a solid answer before you can answer your student advisors, parents, friends, sponsors etc. People can have different reasons for this change. For e.g., in terms of longevity, you perhaps don’t see yourself in a certain field and industry as it doesn’t align with your passions. Perhaps your interests have dramatically changed and you’ve realized that you’re more into theatre and performance rather than finance or vice versa.

It could also be as simple as gaining more confidence in owning up to your decision and having that conversation. In other words, you’ve always known since high school what you wanted to study but you were too afraid of the reactions of those around you so you just went with the obvious choice, but now you’re fully ready to make a decision that is best for yourself.

Research the new course

It is important to do thorough research on the course you want to switch to because you want to avoid disappointments as much as possible. You could try attending some of the lectures of the new courses, asking questions to the students that are enrolled to gauge expectations. Google job listing websites and see what kind of career prospects are available and how much you could possibly earn.

Affordability

Switching your degree can set your graduation date back, sometimes by years, which can add more debt to your student loan. A move between faculties can also result in lost credits, a compromised scholarship and an increase in university fees. Before you make a decision, consider the financial setback this might have and whether you’re willing to go through with the decision regardless.

Secondly, if you have a bursary, you might need to confirm whether they can cover this change. For instance, if you’re with a bursary that solely covers Commerce/Accounting courses – it’s highly unlikely to cover your tuition if you want to switch to Health Sciences.

Visit the student/faculty office

Each institution will operate differently and have its own process. But generally, the best start is to approach your faculty and they can provide guidance on who you need to speak to, what department to approach, where to get forms to fill in etc.

Entry requirements and credit transfers

Do you meet the entry requirements of the course? Irrespective of the fact that you might have been accepted in your previous qualification, entry requirements may differ which is why you need to check. You may need a higher APS (Admission Point Score). Secondly, depending on the course you want to change to, you may be able to transfer credits for some of the courses you’ve done. But if the course you want to enroll in is extremely different, this might be a challenge.

Paperwork – Fill the relevant forms to officiate the switch

You will have to fill in a form that will ask you which course you’d like to switch to and why. Once again depending on the process of your institution, these will be available at the relevant faculty office. It can take a couple of days to weeks to finalize everything. Consult your academic advisor or student support office if you’re unsure where to get the form.

Please note that there isn’t a single formula for everybody who wishes to change their course – the outcomes will vary and is dependent on the respective institution involved and your academic performance. The above are only a few guidelines and some may not be necessary for all.

The most important takeaway is that changing your course isn’t an impossible task and doesn’t have to be daunting. As long as you’re confident that the change you want to make is right for you and your future.

The world is constantly changing. From the environment to the clothes we wear, and the views we are exposed to. In all these seasons of our lives we are always encouraged to grow, and maturity is often recognised as a sign of wisdom. Very often, however, people do not talk about the gravity of the big decisions we have to make along the way and how these decisions, just like everything else in life, are very susceptible to change.

What is change?

Change is defined as the act of replacing something with another thing, often newer or better. Unfortunately, the anxiety that surrounds change often overshadows the feelings of excitement for the new and better thing. Often, the feelings that are associated with change are fear, panic and anxiety. This is because in most cases change presents a level of uncertainty which our brains view as a threat. Research shows that because our brains dislike uncertainty, they attempt to make sense of what is happening by creating certainty where it does not exist. Unfortunately, the brain uses the worst-case scenario as the crutch, and this leaves us even more worried.

This may result from the loss of control that change comes with uncertainty and the insecurity of having to remove yourself from a familiar and mostly comfortable situation to an unknown territory. 

Why is change important?

Change may be necessary in many situations such as changing school subjects, moving to a different area, changing jobs and even changing what you are studying in university. Despite all the negative feelings that may result from the anxiety of changing your initial decision, change is important for several reasons and is more common than we think.

Change is inevitable

A constant fact about change is that it is inevitable. Nothing stays the same forever, and this is true about our capabilities, interests and hobbies. At 18 years-old you might have been interested in design but at 26 you realise that your capabilities are more suited as a strategist. You might have thought being a doctor is what will fulfil you but then in your second year you realise you actually want to become an architect or a musician. Every season in our lives is different and when we are younger, we often make less informed decisions because we do not have a true understanding of what we are truly interested in and what we are capable of.

Change invites more opportunities and experiences

When we make the decision to change an aspect of our lives, we are inviting different opportunities into our trajectory. It is only when we get comfortable with taking risks that we potentially position ourselves for experiences that will enhance our lives.

Change allows introspection and progress

Change means you have looked hard at your situation and realised that the end-result will not be favourable to you and that in order to attract a better one, you need to make a change. This means you are making progress about your future by thinking about the bigger picture and altering your journey to realising those big picture goals.

Interrogating your reasons for the change

Despite change being a good thing in most cases, it is still a decision that one should not take lightly. It is important to interrogate your reasons for wanting to change something about your life. Do you want to change your path because you have self-introspected and realised your talents and interests would be better suited elsewhere, or are you facing temporary difficulty in your current path and responding to this by giving up?

In some cases, people change their situations not because they have introspected and realised that they would be better suited for a different path, but because of setbacks and failure. Often failure is a crucial part of the journey and should be treated as a learning curve and not as proof that you need to change to a different and easier path.

Lastly, it is important that we always understand the gravity of our decisions and the reasons for wanting to make a change. A practical task might be to write down the pros and cons of your decision and the likely outcomes that it will present.

Over the past number of weeks and months, we have focused our blogs around managing the effects the COVID-19 lockdown has brought. We’ve sought to give you guidance, point you towards glimmers of hope, share opportunities & resources, and acknowledge that times are tough. This week we are taking a brief look at how you can survive and thrive in a time of change and uncertainty. Continuing from the context of individual and institutional social distancing, there are 3 broad themes of development we want you to consider going forward: well-being, opportunities, and the future.

Mental and physical well-being

Last year we did a series on mental well-being and this is definitely the time to re-emphasize the importance of taking mental stock. Being isolated and house-bound for long periods of time is not ideal for the human psyche. Many people, around the globe, have reported experiencing depression and increased feelings of anxiety due to living in lockdown conditions. As much as you can, while following the law and safety precautions, remain in contact with your support structure. Social media companies have rapidly advanced their platforms to enable us to more easily have online group activities. If your own household is really getting on your last nerve, arrange for a virtual group hangout with friends, classmates, or a community you share interests or hobbies with. Participating in any number of Instagram live streams that are constantly happening can be really fun and take your mind off your stresses.

Your physical health is also very important. And yes, we are staying indoors and isolated to protect ourselves and others from a serious disease, but at the same time, your day-to-day well-being needs to be maintained. A balanced diet is crucial, which is difficult as winter upon us. Adding to that, many households have been put under financial strain which has affected their ability to buy enough food let alone healthy food. If you are in the fortunate position to have enough food daily, make sure to eat a balance of healthy meals, with only a hint of luxuries. Schedule regular short exercise intervals during the day, so that you get some muscle movement and circulation going. This also does wonders for giving you mental energy, especially if you’ve been sitting long hours doing work. Maintaining physical and mental health is always important so in the weeks and months ahead where schools, universities, and workplaces re-open continue to prioritize your student well-being.

With change comes opportunity

One of the positive outcomes of the global pandemic has been that many learning organizations have offered limited free access to educational resources. There has also been an increase in the critical discourse around the future of work and education, with podcasts, interviews, free webinars, and short online courses engaging with the question of how to prepare for a different future. More than ever, what we have learned is the desirability for individuals – whether innovators, employees, or freelancers – to have the capability to work remotely (see post on top emerging jobs). This not only means having access to equipment to work off-site but requires one to be agile, disciplined, and have excellent problem-solving skills (see post on top in-demand job skills). Developing agility and critical thinking, by regularly engaging in critical environments such as seminars, hackathons, debates, coding, gaming, and design (and sports when we do that again) are some ways to flex those solution-finding muscles. Business leaders, social commentators, and academics have been projecting what economies and places of work will be like in the near and distant future, post-COVID. The abiding opinion is that things have fundamentally and rapidly shifted, nobody quite knows what the long-term results will be, but the move towards digital and virtual capabilities is in immediate demand.

While uncertainty is often daunting, those who can identify opportunities and workable solutions will be in a strong position. For example, what we have seen in South Africa particularly, is the acute need for development in electronic data (as in information), fast and stable internet access and automated systems for service delivery. Specialists in coding, robotics, systems design and information systems are needed to identify, plan and drive these solutions.

Building skills to prepare for the future

Now is the time to get informed about how industries, global NGOs, and governments are re-aligning their planning. We are seeing investments for developing systems shifting in response to the current context. There is a limited window of opportunity for you to make the most of resources that are now more freely available for growth and development. While we are constrained by the difficulties of today, it is vital to be future-focused during the crisis and equip yourself to be an innovator. That is the type of business partner companies, institutions, and governments will be looking for in the near future. Business partners are more than employees or consultants or directors even, they are people that are driving innovation in the spaces they occupy. In your area of interest, try to identify where there are gaps in the market or industry and see how you can develop your skills to fill those gaps. Be prepared to be constantly upskilling yourself with short courses and practical on-the-project learning which will be required due to the acceleration of the need for large-scale changes across industries and markets.

As schools and universities are about to re-open, use this interruption to life as we once knew it as a springboard to re-imagine the future of how the world works and your place in it. Four months ago that may have been a dramatic approach, but now its as if a reset button was pushed and lots of things will be very different in the months and years to come.

This is also a great time to re-read some of our previous blog posts, particularly the following mental health is a balancing act, free-learning tools during COVID 19, most in-demand job skills top emerging jobs, CVs in the time of the side hustle and getting the most of our social media. We hope they continue to motivate you on your education journey.

Living, learning and working in isolation has brought about new lessons, certain freedoms and a number of challenges to the way we do things. We’re finding that what we took for granted – close contact with fellow students and teachers and a rigid and monitored timetable – actually contribute positively to our learning experiences. There is something to be said for sharing study spaces with other like-minded individuals who are experiencing similar things to us. That hasn’t completely disappeared, but it has dramatically changed for now.

Change your mindset and habits

One of the challenges with the temporary shift to a distance learning model is adapting your way of thinking about the disciplines of the classroom and bringing some of those routines and expectations into your home environment. This starts with a change of mindset and behaviours.  Home has become the centre for all activities. Prioritizing your time will be based on self-determination and discipline.

It is important to leave some time for yourself between waking up and getting started with your work. That buffer zone to mentally prepare for concentrating and learning is needed. You now need to intentionally prepare your mind. Having a routine, some time to quietly gather your thoughts and a set structure for the day will help you build a learning and working pattern. This is similar to how you prepare for exams but may have less of a sense of urgency. It is just as crucial though, so make the effort to put a plan in place for getting through your work.

When you are living in a house with many distractions, it’s a big challenge to get into the headspace for a demanding day of school work. There may be younger relatives playing and making a noise, parents working from home and doing chores, dogs barking and noises outside. It is especially important then to mentally prepare for work mode and find ways to concentrate through the disruptions. This could be working with background music to block out ambient noise, finding a spot out of the high traffic zones or just going with the flow and accepting the background noise as part of your study routine. For now, you will be the one solely responsible for your participation in and contribution to your academics. This, above all, takes discipline and tenacity because you know you are working towards your own goals.

Build a routine

To support your self-disciplined approach, follow a daily schedule. Ticking things off as complete on your to-do-list tracks your progress and can be really motivating. Remember to take short breaks between subjects to allow some time for your brain, eyes, and ears to relax. Stay hydrated with water and move around, even do short bursts of exercises so that your body doesn’t become fatigued. Ever notice how lying down or staying seated for hours actually makes you tired? Doing your studies this way is preparing you for the new working world as many companies practice flexible work arrangements. It’s become the norm in corporate businesses and amongst entrepreneurs to work remotely and not necessarily be based at an office full-time.

Stay connected

While practicing social distancing continue interactions with classmates, friends, and mentors, just do it digitally. Consider starting a WhatsApp study group. Sharing experiences with contemporaries alleviates stress and goodness knows there’s been a lot of tension going around with everybody confined to very close quarters. In an upcoming post, we’ll talk about using social media to not only maintain recreational social relationships but as platforms for connecting with fellow students, working in groups, and hosting discussions. Stay strong and stay motivated!