Advice for the Class of 2023
What one piece of advice would you give to a current student, or one about to graduate? That’s the question we’ve been asking our alumni all year as they’ve completed their alumni snapshots. From keeping an open mind to planning ahead, and remembering you’re only just starting out, here’s our alumni community’s advice for our Class of 2023 graduates!
Take every opportunity (within reason)
Never turn down any opportunity without good reason, you never know where one opportunity will take you. Don’t fear failure as there are greater lessons in failure than success.
– Jeremy Jones, Class of 1989
Make the most of every moment and every opportunity given to you (even if it means going way out of your comfort zone). You’ll be so glad you did it later on down the line.
– Jenna Houston, Class of 2018
As David Richmond told me- Say yes to everything! (within reason).Spend the next six months to a year just trying everything, in a work sense, seeing what it is you want to do and where your skills are most settled in- try to ignore the pressure of having things sorted, and find what it is you have the most passion for. That being said, I’d also say to not worry if the job you end up in isn’t directly related to your course. York St john are brilliant at honing your skills, and giving you a wide range of experience and skills that are transferable to what you want in life!
– Anne-Marie Chave, Class of 2019
It sounds cliché but graft hard and party hard. It’s worth it. Grab every opportunity with both hands and give your all to what you do: give your all to raving in nightclubs or at festivals and give your all to every single word of every essay. Whatever you do, never use your half ass; always use your full ass!
– Carley Metcalfe, Class of 2009
Keep an open mind about career paths
Keep an open mind about careers – explore things outside the box and consider opportunities that come your way that you had not thought of before!
– Chloe Atkins, Class of 2022
…do not plan a career being rigid: a loose vision allows you to discover unexpected opportunities and possibilities. This mindset enables you to adapt and explore instead of limiting yourself to pre-defined paths.
– Luca Collina, Class of 2021
But remember your goals
Do precisely what you want to do, not what people expect or want you to do.
– Sean Sutton, Class of 1986
Write down your goals, be curious, go into everything with wide eyes ready to seize opportunity.
– Harry Barker, Class of 2021
Figure out what you want to be in the future, and study the best path to get there. You can always deviate from the plan, as long as the end goal is always in site. Don’t give up, if you find something hard, keep persevering because you will get there eventually.
– Paul Desira, Class of 2004
Think carefully about your next step. Leaving the St John’s family is a huge transition in your life and you will miss it terribly.
– Elaine Langford, Class of 1987
The writer Ralph Wiley once wrote, “Progress is to be desired merely because it is progress. Men who stand still are lost.” I can think of no better advice after that.
– Pete Carvill, Class of 2003
And believe in yourself
The self help books and motivational speakers are right. Who knew? It may seem like a cliché but happiness, success and fulfilment really are all about believing in what you want and what you can do. Just don’t hold back. Don’t break any laws! But don’t hold back.
– Peter Lane, Class of 1994
My advice would be to enjoy every moment. Take in the ups and downs and don’t sweat the small stuff.
– Hannah Beiscak, Class of 2016
As Shakespeare wrote, “This above all, to thine own self be true, and needs must follow as night the day thou canst not then be false to any man.”
– Michael Hardacre, Class of 1968
I may seem really hard at the moment but keep going. Standing in the Minster waiting for your name to be called is an amazing experience albeit a bit chilly in November. Accept help and ask for it if you are struggling. You’re not on your own.
– Anna Pattison, Class of 2019
Do not disunite yourself. In times of struggle the real YOU comes out.
– Riccardo Tappo, Class of 2012
And finally…
Graduates… there’s no rush… it’ll work out. And if you have scored a sweet job straight off the bat, don’t be a prat to your mates who haven’t. It’s not a race (happens every year sadly!)
– Alex Finlayson, Class of 2003 and 2005
