Usually, college students are expected to complete projects and beat deadlines while still in school. While these are all parts of student life, one should not be blindfolded to see that the future doesn't start only after graduation. In reality, students can already create the roadmap to a bright future, particularly when it comes to being financially prepared.

How the youth can be empowered to build their future

Future planning is essential, especially among students. It doesn’t start only after graduation. One must get a head start as early as possible to be able to navigate the future with ease. Life’s surprises come in many forms and one would not be caught off guard if he/she was able to prepare for the unexpected.

Here are some future planning tips for the youth who dreams of a bright future. 

Set goals.

Goal identification is an important step in future building. One should have a clear view of what he/she looks forward to achieving. Would you like to earn your first million by the age of 30? Is starting a business a part of your plans? Set goals to be focused on taking the necessary steps that will help in their realization. 

Be vocal about personal goals.

Setting goals is not enough. It would be best to share goals with the people who matter. While this may seem unimportant, it actually helps in creating a support network that can give reminders and the needed push whenever necessary.

Take baby steps.

The advantage of future planning while still studying is that one can enjoy the luxury of time to get things going. There’s nothing wrong with taking small steps as long as it would mean moving closer to the accomplishment of goals.

BStay in-the-know.

Read useful resources to stay up-to-date and informed about the opportunities around. It is also important to meet people. Network building can happen even while still studying. Find mentors that can give inspiration and guidance. Know the people who can share useful knowledge about a particular industry.

Learn how to budget.

Budgeting is one of the key factors to becoming financially independent. While this isn’t a subject focus in school, one can get hands-on experience even in managing allowances and identifying essentials from non-essentials. Learning how to budget is a skill that can help prevent financial pitfalls in the future. It can start by tracking expenses to know where money is spent and identify what can be cut off. Eventually, proper budgeting will help a person save money for future use.

Don’t be afraid to take risks.

There are different types of risks and at one point in life, a person may have to decide if he/she should take them or not. Career moves and business opportunities should be evaluated if they are worth taking. Getting out of one’s comfort zone will bring new experiences and life lessons that will help with growth. 

Taking risks is an advantage for young people as time is still on their side. There is still plenty of opportunities to recover, learn from mistakes, and be more strategic and smarter moving forward. 

Start investing.

When it comes to investing, it is better to start at an early age. This will allow you to take risks, overcome them, and still recover. Having an early start at investing also gives an investor the privilege to maximize potential returns.

Finding the right investment is easy. There are different affordable investment products for beginners to help college students and young professionals use their money wisely and work their way towards financial freedom.

Sun Life offers investment opportunities for different types of investors. For instance, mutual funds offer investments with maximum earning potential while Sun Life Prosperity Funds offer affordable investments for as low as Php 1,000.00. 

Find out more about mutual funds through MF101 (Mutual Fund 101) which is a monthly webinar hosted by Sun Life. Learn the basics of mutual funds now.

START YOUR JOURNEY TO PROSPERITY

SOURCES: letsmakeplan.org cnbc.com investopedia.com mymoneywisetips.com

ALSO READ: Taking steps towards financial independence for Millennials and Gen Zs

Building a bright future and achieving financial freedom involves steps that must be taken at an early age. Stay guided and use the time to your advantage. Risks and challenges may get in the way of your goals but with proper preparation and the right strategies, moving towards financial success would still be possible.

Need help in planning a brighter future? Get expert financial advice. Schedule an appointment with a Sun Life Advisor today.

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Brighter Life Team

The Brighter Life Team is Sun Life's very own writing team. Sharing their own experiences, goals, and ideas, the Brighter Life Team is ready to make your day brighter.