When most people ask me why I attend university, the most common answer I give them is that I want to earn a degree or secure a job, and there’s no real in-between.
Those answers are not wrong; in fact, they’re both correct. I do want a degree, and I do want to improve my job probability and. increase my knowledge on the subject. But studying at the University of Westminster made me realise that there is more to university life than just getting a degree and a job.
Most students reading this came in with the same mindset: university was a place to build skills and knowledge and increase their chances of landing a job in the future. University was an investment in your future, requiring you to sacrifice your time, money, and effort to achieve a better future. I measured my success based on how well I performed on my assignments and the grade I received. However, what I didn’t expect was how much more university would be, and how it would change me in the way I socialise, think, and communicate with the people around me.
I recall three years ago, when I first arrived at Westminster, and I soon discovered that university was more than just about job preparation, although it was important. I learned that socialising, applying my skills, and all-around support around me were also put on an even scale. For example, seminars were not just about breaking down the lectures; it was more about interacting with the teacher, and we were encouraged to challenge the teacher and ask questions. Group work often meant I had to test my social skills and talk with new people from different backgrounds and cultures. Assignments weren’t just about following the brief and doing it; it meant looking back on what you had learned and applying it to real-life case studies.
It wasn’t just me that felt like univeristy was not just about getting a degree and getting a job, i was blessed to be in a university that also priortises student life and practical skills but more recently a times article found that more employers are increasingly value graduates with the right qualities to survive and thrive in a office, not just those with good degrees. Which is why I’m so lucky to be at a university that values those skills and allows me to apply them to real-life business and use cases.
Some of the best things I learned at university aren’t things I can actually list on my CV, such as being confident when presenting, learning how to express my ideas clearly, and most importantly, socialising and making connections. On the surface, these skills may seem smaller compared to other skills you could learn on your own, but when all of these are combined, this type of skill is what actually makes the difference between someone else and you in the real world.
Rounding back to my earlier point, studying at Westminster also meant that I was surrounded by people from very different backgrounds. Different cultures, experiences, and perspectives on life converge in the same lecture and seminar room. This changed the way I learn and approach new experiences, as each person brings a unique perspective to the same problem or situation. The University of Westminster follows an excellent guideline by committing to equality, diversity, and inclusion, thereby creating a proper learning environment. It’s not just about different people, but about people being themselves. Ultimately, you learn more from the people around you rather than things you may know on your own.
Another significant aspect of attending university is gaining personal independence and balancing various responsibilities, such as assignments, part-time work, and maintaining a social life. I know that isn’t easy. However, coming into university daily meant that I had to learn how to manage the pressure of submitting assignments, make decisions about what I wanted to do during the weekend, and adapt when the schedule I had planned didn’t go the way I intended. At times, it’s not that enjoyable, but it definitely did shape who II am compared to who I was when I camewho I was when I came into university three years ago.
In fact, this type of growth and being able to manage things is what employers now look for in people. I was recently reading a Forbes article, and it mentioned that adaptability in the workplace is the top skill of the moment. I really related to that article because I am not the same person as I was when I joined university.
However, that doesn’t mean that employability and building your CV aren’t necessary. I have been fortunate enough that the University of Westminster has a perfect balance of combining both theory and practical application in the real world. I’m almost done with my degree, with only another 3 months left until I officially receive it. My degree will help open the doors I want. Still, there are many more skills I have learnt that I will take into the future, things that you won’t be able to see on the surface, but that combine together to make my future better.
My experience at the University of Westminster has shown me that earning a degree is more than just obtaining a piece of paper; it’s about developing the skills you need, applying them, and forming connections. In a world of AI, it’s become increasingly crucial that you have those skills that set you apart from the rest.
Sources:
Grammarly was used to fix grammar mistakes
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2024/04/28/adaptability-in-the-workplace/