If you’re a student, simply getting through university is a big enough challenge as it is, but as you near the end of your studies, you’ll probably start thinking more and more about life after graduation. Making the transition out of student life can definitely be tricky, and you may feel the pressure to have it all sorted out. Yes, you need to find a job, but there are many, many other challenges to tackle, too. Here’s what to focus on.

Don’t panic
It’s easier said than done, but the very first step is to take charge of anxiety. You’ll feel far more empowered about the big decisions you’re making if you have a little self-compassion, and give yourself permission to figure things out in stages. According to Glide, “life’s about trying loads of different things, it’s part of the journey and remember, you’re not alone. There’s loads of people who don’t quite know what they want to do after uni.”

If you’re feeling unsure of yourself – that’s OK! Life is hard and you’re allowed to be a newbie sometimes. Take a deep breath, slow down and look at things methodically. Sometimes stress and worry evaporates when we take the time to draw up a practical plan.

Take charge of your finances
You may have had ample budgeting experience as a student, but as you prepare to leave university you may need to brush up on some additional money skills. Fortunately, there’s a load of amazing advice out there on how to manage all kinds of post-uni money matters, from filing taxes to investing to saving for a home.

While finding a job may be on the radar for you, pay attention to other skills you’ll need to brush up on, including sorting out insurance, managing debt or learning to live frugally and plump up your savings. Now might be the time to take a free online money management course, or, if that sounds a bit full-on, simply investigate a few apps and online tools to help you budget and keep track of spending.

Take responsibility for your domestic life
Today, formal Adulting classes now being offered to young people all over the globe, but you can figure out a lot on your own through trial and error, too.

A big part of being an adult is managing all those areas of domestic life that students get to place on the back burner. Things like laundry, healthy meal-planning, household tasks, organizing utility bills and repairing appliances may not seem all that important – until you have an emergency and find yourself desperately Googling, “what’s a cam belt?”

It’s a good idea to be proactive and plan ahead. Invest in a few helpful guidebooks, watch online videos, or, naturally, ask your mum.

Think about your job skills
Your main challenge after graduation will be to find gainful employment, but whatever your field of expertise, you’ll need to develop extra competencies in the area of job hunting itself, so you can position yourself as a valuable and capable employee. Even if you haven’t quite figured out which path to take, it’s always worth learning how to write a proper CV, interview techniques, self-promotion, how to negotiate a raise, managing workplace conflict, communication skills, how to develop customer service skills, good email etiquette and so on.

Many students and graduates spend so much time focusing on how to make sure they have the right education and work experience to launch their dream careers, that they spend relatively little time on developing other attributes, like time management and how to maintain a work-life balance once they do get hired.

Don’t forget about your wellbeing
Being an adult is not just about paying bills on time or knowing how to replace lightbulbs. It’s also about consciously creating a lifestyle you want. Relationship skills are an underappreciated asset in life, as is practicing self-care. As you figure out how to launch into the world post-uni, spare a thought for your mental, social and spiritual health – who can you reach out to for help and support?

As a new graduate, there’s a lot to think about. Knowing how to function in the world as an adult takes a whole range of overlapping skills from financial literacy to stress management, and from big things like applying for a mortgage, to little things like getting wine stains out of clothing! There’s no cheat code, but a little patience will go a long way to helping you become a responsible, fully-fledged adult.