Realizing your graduation is around the corner is terrifying. Sure, it’s also exciting, but mostly just terrifying. Now you’re expected to be an adult. The kind that knows which insurance to get, how to make a nutritious work lunch, and how to file taxes. The level of change is overwhelming…long gone are the relaxing summer vacations that last for three months and the flexible, easy schedule that consists of four lectures per week. There are several stages to getting your act together during the weeks leading up to graduation:
1. Cancel your student support.
Remember to notify Kela that you’re graduating because they WILL ask any extra money back if you forget.
2. Apply for unemployment and/or housing benefits.
If you can get some other support from Kela, GO FOR IT! The decision might take a while so it’s good to send the application asap.
3. Find a job.
This is something that you should be doing all the time if you haven’t found a job already. Because you need money. For bills. Good luck.
4. Raise your tax percentage.
When you do find a job, remember to raise your tax percetage so that you don’t have to pay massive amounts of money back to the government at the end of the year.
5. Set up a savings account.
If you have a steady job, you can finally also save bigger amounts of money. That means you should get a savings account for that cash. When you want that holiday abroad, you’ll have a decent nest egg already.
6. Join a union and an unemployment fund.
Though you might have a job, you will benefit from joining a union that will help you with most work related issues and usually includes the membership of an unemployment fund in its member fee. This way you’re covered if you find yourself unemployed.
7. Try and get used to a daily work routine.
It’s a massive change, but most of us do have to get used to waking up at 6 a.m. and coming home only around 5 p.m. Sometimes it sucks. But eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and remembering to also go out to meet friends will keep you on track and feeling semi-sane even in the busiest times.