- Not all degrees are structured the same: Your course load can shape your entire university experience. Heavier semesters leave little room for internships, hobbies, or rest, while lighter ones offer space to grow beyond academics. Planning early makes a real difference.
- Information can save you money and stress: Many students only learn too late about benefits like PTPTN loan waivers or scholarship opportunities. Knowing these earlier could change how you approach your grades, finances, and priorities.
- Relationships matter more than resumes: Real connections built through shared experiences last longer than surface-level networking. LinkedIn helps with visibility, but genuine relationships and early career awareness often open the doors that matter most.
What I Wish I Knew Before Graduating
Ainul Fatihah
December 30, 2025
Graduation often feels like a finish line, but many graduates only realise afterwards how much they wish they had known earlier. From course structures and PTPTN loan waivers to building genuine relationships, using LinkedIn wisely, and understanding scholarships, these shared experiences highlight how early awareness and better planning could have made university life less stressful and post-graduation life more manageable.
Key Takeways
Graduation. The moment you’ve been working for... but also the moment that smacks you in the face with reality. You’ve made it through the late-night cramming sessions, the group projects from hell, and the awkward “What’s your major?” questions.
Then suddenly, you're there with your certification in hand – and it hits you: The real world is here, and it’s way more complicated than you thought.
To help you out, we went straight to Reddit and asked what people wish they knew before they graduated.
What came back was a flood of insights, ranging from hilarious to heartwarming. Some of it will make you laugh; some of it will probably make you wish you could go back and do things differently. Here’s the scoop.
1. The Difference in University Course Structures
Some universities have it easy, with 3-4 subjects per semester. Others? They throw you into the deep end with 7-8 subjects, making you wonder if you’ll ever see daylight again. Some people on Reddit said they wish they had realised how big an impact this would have on their university experience.
When you’re carrying a heavy course load, time is a luxury you just can’t afford. You’ll be too busy trying to stay afloat to worry about internships, side projects, or even finding time to breathe.
Mohd Shahrizal, a graduate from the International Islamic University Malaysia, had the perfect balance when it came to his course load. “It gave me the space to focus on my subjects and explore other hobbies,” he says, reflecting on how a lighter load made his university life a lot less stressful. With fewer subjects, he had the freedom to dive into interests outside of class and even build stronger connections with his peers.
But not every semester was that chill. Shahrizal did take on more than 5 subjects in some semesters, and he admits, “For students taking a heavier course load, I would advise planning your schedule carefully and prioritising tasks that are more demanding. Don’t compare deadlines, but compare the work.”
Time management is everything. If you had known how much time you’d need for each subject, you could’ve planned better. You can focus on subjects that are tougher, clear them quicker, or even fit in a minor.
2. PTPTN Loan Waiver for First-Class Graduates
Some students didn’t know that if they hit first-class honours, their PTPTN loan would be waived.
Unfortunately, for many students, including some TikTok commenters, they didn’t learn about this benefit until it was too late. One comment shared that they wished they’d known earlier. "I would’ve worked harder for that first-class, but I didn’t find out until it was too late,” they said.
This realisation often comes too late to make a difference, especially if your GPA is already set and there’s no way to bring it up to that coveted first-class level.
This little-known PTPTN rule could’ve saved them a lot of money – money that would’ve been spent paying off a loan that could have been wiped clean with just a little extra push during their studies. It’s the kind of information that could have changed everything, from how they approached their grades to how they balanced work and study life.
So, if you’re still in university, don’t make the same mistake. Work hard to secure that first-class, not just for the academic prestige, but also for the financial freedom it could bring. It might just be the one thing that makes a real difference to your post-graduation life.
3. Building Real, Meaningful Connections (Not Just Networking)
One Reddit user shares: “I wish I’d built deeper connections instead of just networking out of guilt or obligation.” So, here’s the deal. Instead of just building a network, we should build relationships. Focus on the people, not the list of people you know.
Because what’s the point if they don’t actually know you or care about your hustle? You want connections that go beyond the small talk and the occasional “Hey, how’s it going?” You want people who remember you not because you passed them a business card, but because you showed up.
Take it from someone who learned the hard way: the folks who really help you out? The ones who genuinely care? They’re the ones who’ll stick around after you’ve worked on a project together, stayed up late studying for finals, or helped them out with something totally random.
Building real connections isn’t about what you can get—it’s about what you can give. Whether it’s support on a group project or just being there to listen when someone’s venting about the latest drama (and we all know that drama happens), it’s the quality of those interactions that counts. And trust me, that’s the stuff that pays off long after the event ends.
4. The Importance of LinkedIn
For some of us, LinkedIn didn’t have much impact until we were a couple of years into university. That’s exactly how it went for Sofea, who started using it around 2021-2022.
LinkedIn can look great on paper, but is it actually effective for job hunting? For Sofea, the answer is... well, complicated. “I did secure my first job through LinkedIn,” she says, “but it was a challenge.”
The platform is oversaturated, with countless employers and candidates, making it hard to stand out. So, while LinkedIn might feel like a job hunter’s dream, it can quickly become a ghost town where messages get lost in a sea of profiles.
Looking back, Sofea says she wouldn’t rely on LinkedIn to actually land a job. Instead, it’s all about using it for updates and portfolio building. Want to build your professional presence and share your work? Perfect. Want to land a gig just by clicking a button? Not so much.
But, while LinkedIn is all about celebrating success, Sofea shares, “most of what you see on there is copy-paste content.” People share generic tips and tricks that you’ll probably see 100 times over.
So, if you're using it, don’t get caught up in the noise. “Use it sparingly,” she says. After all, if everyone is posting the same things, it can be hard to take it all in.
6. Scholarships – Why You Should Care More
Starting university is like stepping into the unknown, and for most of us, scholarships are among the things we hear about but never really dive into. Qurratu Aini, like many, knew scholarships existed but didn’t fully grasp what they could offer.
She did, however, apply for a few scholarships during her studies. Some had her write essays, others involved making videos. “The process felt like a lot of work,” she admits. But, in an unexpected twist, she received a JPA scholarship during her degree.
But, instead of taking up the offer, she turned it down. “I was confident that I would get a good result and didn’t need to pay for my PTPTN loan,” she says with a laugh. “Definitely not my best decision, but hey, live and learn!”
Looking back, Qurratu reflects on how beneficial it would have been to research scholarships earlier. “I think students should definitely start looking for scholarships earlier. A lot of things we don’t know about when we’re in high school,” she notes. “Having that exposure early on would’ve been really helpful. It’s not just about the funding—scholarships can open doors to great opportunities like internships and networking.”
But was the university doing enough to help students with this? “Honestly, no,” she answers. At her university, PTPTN and internal zakat were the main focus, but there was little effort to promote other scholarship options. She thinks universities could do much more, like hosting info sessions or providing dedicated scholarship officers. “Giving students early access to that info would make a huge difference,” she adds.
As for how the lack of scholarships impacted her studies, Qurratu didn’t let it completely derail her. “I didn’t let the scholarship thing affect my studies,” she says, but she can definitely see how it could have made life a little easier. “I had friends who got scholarships tied to specific activities, and that kept them busy.”
For her, though, it was a balancing act. “If I had a scholarship, it might have given me more peace of mind and less pressure to work on the side.”
Qurratu’s journey with scholarships was a bumpy one, but it was clear that earlier awareness, a little guidance, and doing the research could’ve saved her a lot of stress. So, if you’re still in university—or heading there soon—take her advice: don’t wait for someone to push you. Start looking into scholarships early. It’s not just about the money; it’s about opening doors to opportunities that could shape your future.
Graduation is just the beginning, and the lessons we learn along the way shape how we tackle life after uni. The real world isn’t so straightforward, but with the right mindset, research, and a willingness to learn from the experiences of others, you’ll be way ahead of the game. So, take the time to explore, plan ahead, and make the most of your time in uni. Your future self will thank you!
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